3. There is a single
exception clause. Depending on the version you are using, we will notice that a
violation of the original vows and the original plan of God is broken. In the
beginning God set up the institution of marriage (Gen 2:24). Jesus taught that
God's law is the way it was. But Jesus also realized that many would not be
faithful (Matt 7:13). The true worshippers of God would have to live in an
unrighteous world. There were going to be people who cheated on their spouses.
This was, and is, wrong. Under Mosaic law, those guilty of adultery were to be
punished by death.
When a person in a marriage goes outside of their marriage for sexual
gratification, then they have committed a sexual sin. They have sinned in an
immoral fashion. They had the right for sexual gratification, but that right
was limited to their spouse. If in a moment of passion this act happens and it
becomes the knowledge of the spouse, then the spouse must come to a conclusion.
If the unfaithful spouse was sorry and truly repented, then a choice can be
made to either keep or to put away. In this case, they would have a right to
enter another marriage with someone qualified to be married. They could also
choose to forgive their unfaithful spouse. When they forgive, they should
forget in the same manner that God forgives. This action should never be held
to their account again.
1. To invite the unfaithful spouse back into your bed, is indication of
forgiveness. The bounds and bonds of marriage remain intact as God desires them
to. After this forgiveness, there will not be an appropiate time to put away
the spouse, unless they commit the same sin again.
2. To put away your spouse, you must leave them for the right reasons. They
committed adultery. The divorce decree should read as such. Most divorce
decrees cite irreconsilable differences.
I know that there are many different questions that can arise from this study,
many are valid questions, even though they may seem a little ridiculous at
times. For after all, try to think of some situations that exist in people you
know, and see what kind of questions can come up. It will not always be
possible to answer every question to the satisfaction to all. The only source
of authority we have is the Bible. Forget all the hypothetical questions. If
God said it, that should settle it.
Go to the next section
Fornication
Return to the index
Divorce and Remarriage