Word@Work Luke252 - Luke 16:18
Published: Thu, 12/09/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
UNCOMPROMISING
Luke 16:18 "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery." (NIV)
Pastorally, this has become one of the most difficult issues for church leaders. The rising incidence of divorce and remarriage appears to challenge Jesus' teaching. But there is no right way to change His words or assume that they do not mean what they say. Neither is there any room for the self-righteous gloating of those who have not remarried because Jesus also said, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28).
Marriage is a creation ordinance and it is first stated in Genesis 2:24, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This is one of the few verses which is repeated by Jesus and the Apostles (see Matthew 19:5; 1 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 5:31), and for that reason alone we know that God has not changed His mind. God's intention is that one man and one woman should live in mutual faithfulness until separated by death.
Marriage is God's primary and essential building block for the stability of society. However, we also know that weak humanity continually challenges God's Word, and we are easily tempted to sin. Perhaps that is why God does not make marital faithfulness optional! Jesus strongly affirmed the divinely appointed way to live in society. Whenever it does not work as God intended there is always pain - often for many people - and only God's grace can relieve it (2 Corinthians 12:9). Wherever our sinfulness can be rectified, we should repent, go back and ask for God's help to be true to Him in the future. Whatever mistakes we cannot undo, we must also confess them, asking for the covering of His mercy and for daily grace to help us. But God is as kind as He is righteous; He does not want our children to be ignorant about what is best. We have a responsibility to them (and to others we teach or who look up to us), that they should not believe that our weakness is normal or pleasing to God. It is the best thing for them and us to know what God has planned, so that we can walk in obedience. That is the way of blessing, not only for the individuals but for the whole of each new generation.
Prayer: Sovereign God. Thank You that You always know what is best and that although Your salvation is our rescue plan for eternity, You also want us to live at peace now and to enjoy all the benefits of Your creation, including our marriage and family. Please forgive me for those times when my heart strays from what is true and ignores the clear instructions in Your Word. Thank You for the painful reminders making me run back to You in repentance. Please help me to honour the spirit of Your Word as well as the letter of Your law, so that I can enjoy the blessing of undisturbed fellowship with You. Help me also to be quite clear, to my children and those who look up to me, that my sinfulness is not Your pattern for a blessed life but that Your Word is trustworthy. May I be clear to teach what is true so that my life will not be a spiritual hindrance to others. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Pastorally, this has become one of the most difficult issues for church leaders. The rising incidence of divorce and remarriage appears to challenge Jesus' teaching. But there is no right way to change His words or assume that they do not mean what they say. Neither is there any room for the self-righteous gloating of those who have not remarried because Jesus also said, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28).
Marriage is a creation ordinance and it is first stated in Genesis 2:24, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This is one of the few verses which is repeated by Jesus and the Apostles (see Matthew 19:5; 1 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 5:31), and for that reason alone we know that God has not changed His mind. God's intention is that one man and one woman should live in mutual faithfulness until separated by death.
Marriage is God's primary and essential building block for the stability of society. However, we also know that weak humanity continually challenges God's Word, and we are easily tempted to sin. Perhaps that is why God does not make marital faithfulness optional! Jesus strongly affirmed the divinely appointed way to live in society. Whenever it does not work as God intended there is always pain - often for many people - and only God's grace can relieve it (2 Corinthians 12:9). Wherever our sinfulness can be rectified, we should repent, go back and ask for God's help to be true to Him in the future. Whatever mistakes we cannot undo, we must also confess them, asking for the covering of His mercy and for daily grace to help us. But God is as kind as He is righteous; He does not want our children to be ignorant about what is best. We have a responsibility to them (and to others we teach or who look up to us), that they should not believe that our weakness is normal or pleasing to God. It is the best thing for them and us to know what God has planned, so that we can walk in obedience. That is the way of blessing, not only for the individuals but for the whole of each new generation.
Prayer: Sovereign God. Thank You that You always know what is best and that although Your salvation is our rescue plan for eternity, You also want us to live at peace now and to enjoy all the benefits of Your creation, including our marriage and family. Please forgive me for those times when my heart strays from what is true and ignores the clear instructions in Your Word. Thank You for the painful reminders making me run back to You in repentance. Please help me to honour the spirit of Your Word as well as the letter of Your law, so that I can enjoy the blessing of undisturbed fellowship with You. Help me also to be quite clear, to my children and those who look up to me, that my sinfulness is not Your pattern for a blessed life but that Your Word is trustworthy. May I be clear to teach what is true so that my life will not be a spiritual hindrance to others. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
W@WLuke252 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2010 | Provided by BeaconLight | Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group