The Marriage Covenant
In considering this subject it has become clear to me that not only has the Biblical teaching on marriage become cloudy in the modern day understanding, but now even the definition of divorce and remarriage has been confused as well. Before 1960 the majority of churches would not remarry someone who was divorced as no provision was made for remarriage. Why the change and where did the new interpretation of scripture originate. For those who doubt, write to your denominations archives and research the evolution of thought on this issue. The intent of this paper is to clarify the Biblical teaching concerning the Marriage Covenant, many books have been written from a cultural perspective of Biblical times, yet what was practiced culturally was seldom God's intended will for his people. What was practiced was not infallible, rather it is only the Bible that contains God's infallible, inerrant will for the church. This is why we read:
Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. (1Co.4:6)
For today's practice is dictated by the majority, as to what is commonly practiced today. Does everyone do it? No, but it was viewed as acceptable by the majority. It is so easy to find someone who would agree with us, and if we could convince enough people in the church to change, we gain the majority then through the democratic process could alter church practice. It all starts by gaining the majority:
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2Ti.4:3-4)
We vote in the elders who agree with us, we call the minister who will preach a palatable message; just what our itching ears want to hear. The question is not whether we all agree that something is right, the question is whether God agrees with us:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2Ti.3:16-17)
Some might question whether it is important whether God agrees with our stance. After all isn't God only interested in whether we love one another, and that there is unity in the church! Our obedience to the commands of Christ is the evidence that one is a Christian:
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1Jn.2:3-6)
We must walk in complete obedience to the commands of God, else we brand ourselves a liar. We must understand all that God asks of us in the scripture, so that we might obey it. Therefore let us consider what the Scripture has to say about The Marriage Covenant and its related topics so that we can walk in obedience to his commands.
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