36. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - God's Power made Perfect in Weakness

We are busy discussing divorce in the light of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:31-32: It has been said, “Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.” But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Let’s talk a bit about the practicalities of divorce and marrying divorced people. Apart from Him being humiliated, God had another reason why He forbids adultery through divorce: He loves us and doesn’t want to see us hurt.

In Matthew 19:6, Jesus said that married people are no longer two, but one. In order to separate them, you have to tear them apart, causing terrible wounds. I want you to picture this spiritual process as if it were physical. Imagine you take Siamese twins and tear them apart. Can you picture the violence, the agony, and the cries? Divorce is not much different, except it is emotional instead of physical. The pain, however, is the same; the wounds are the same: large and agonizing.

But what if your spouse has been hurting you all your life? Jesus stated that divorce is not allowed “except for marital unfaithfulness.” If the spouse has been unfaithful, divorce usually is a release, but the hurt and effect on children and other family members will still be there. However, if it is a case of just having difficulty living together, misunderstandings, or weak communication, there is no reason to divorce. God can solve the problem. It will take time, effort, and assistance from able servants of God, but He will do it if we are willing and if we call on Him. To divorce and run from our problems says to God, “You are not able to help us make it work. We would rather make our own decision.” Jude 24: “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” The Lord can do anything if we trust Him, wait on Him, and rely on him.

A lady we know lived a godly life, but her husband did not care much for the Lord. She served and loved her husband until and even after he divorced her. Although he was unfaithful to her, she stayed faithful to him and to the Lord as an example of obedience to Jesus’ commands.

A couple I know, Mark and Cindy, had a difficult relationship. Even though they were very much alike in their interests, they always clashed. But they both loved the Lord and had decided long ago that divorce was not an option. Apparently, a lot of prayer and intense and open communication went into their marriage. During a time of weakness, Mark was even tempted to get involved with other women, an issue which the Lord dealt with, but Cindy was true to her commitment before the Lord and fought for her man. Mark repented and came clean before the Lord and Cindy.
They knew the Lord had put them together and had a purpose with them as a couple. Satan. however, wanted to destroy the power of their unity and worked on their weaknesses to urge them on to break their unity. But the power of the Lord was made perfect in their weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9) and they came through as conquerors; still married after several years and as happy and fruitful as never before.
In a study like this, we don’t attempt writing a handbook on marriage, but rather just try to see things from God’s perspective. Next time I want to spend some time considering the consequences of divorce and marrying a divorced person.

For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.