What the Bible Says about Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage

The Bible is God's Book of life for us humans- His creation. Jesus said in John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." There is NO OTHER WAY to God; Almighty God; the God of ALL creation; the God of God's; the God of the Bible! Call me bigoted, but you "back me into a spiritual corner" and I'll tell you just how it is and I won't be sorry about it either, Amen.

I especially offer this disclaimer to appeal to the mind and the thinking of those who, for the sake of argument, like to argue. Especially the non-christian; the non-believer, although I know for a fact, that there are so-called Christians out there that either haven't wanted to, or have not quite understood this great Bible Truth. I choose to pick the former as to why their unbelief. Argue all you want, but after reading this through, I promise you, you will no longer have an excuse before Almighty God, both to the believer and the unbeliever. I KNOW- "we live in a sin-sick world." I'm quite aware of this fact. It's messed up, but with the Lord's help we CAN, we WILL overcome, Amen? I'm just the messenger. Don't kill the messenger, Amen. If you have a problem with this, take it to the Lord.

OK. Let's talk about some universal laws "that make this world go round." Let's go.

Universal Law:

In law and ethics, universal law or universal principle refers as concepts of legal legitimacy actions, whereby those principles and rules for governing human beings' conduct which are most universal in their acceptability, their applicability, translation, and philosophical basis, are therefore considered to be most legitimate. One type of Universal Law is the Law of Logic which prohibits logical contradictions known as sophistry. Universal Law, the Law of Logic is based upon the universal idea that logic is defined as that which is not illogical; and, that which is illogical is that which involves a logical contradiction, such as, attempting to assert that an apple and no apple can exist at and in the same time and in the same place; and, likewise, attempting to assert that God and no God can exist at and in the same time and in the same place. This Law of Logic does not allow for this to co-exist. Amen? Amen.

Some other examples of universal laws/principles:

Newton's laws of motion are three physical laws that together laid the foundation for classical mechanics. They describe the relationship between a body and the forces acting upon it, and its motion in response to said forces. They have been expressed in several different ways over nearly three centuries, and can be summarized as follows:

First law: When viewed in an inertial reference frame, an object either remains at rest or continues to move at a constant-velocity, unless acted upon by an external force.
Second law: F = ma. The vector sum of the forces F on an object is equal to the mass m of that object multiplied by the acceleration vector a of the object.
Third law: When one body exerts a force on a second body, the second body simultaneously exerts a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction on the first body.

The three laws of motion were first compiled by Isaacc Newton in his Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, first published in 1687. Newton used them to explain and investigate the motion of many physical objects and systems. For example, in the third volume of the text, Newton showed that these laws of motion, combined with his law of universal gravitation, explained Kepler's laws of planetary motion.

Law of Relativity:

The law of relativity is another universal law and it states that nothing is good or bad, big or small... UNTIL you RELATE it to something else.

The law of relativity tells us that everything in our physical world is made real by its relationship or comparison to something else. We compare light to darkness. We compare good to bad. God's holiness can be compared to satan's (I willfully violate the rules of grammar when referring to him) sinfulness. We compare hot to cold. Let's put it into practical, everyday terms, Amen:

If you practice relating your situation to something much worse, then yours will be much better - it will always look good.

Because of these comparisons, it is said that things are relative. If you are an average income earner and you compare yourself to a millionaire, then your economic situation would not look good, but if you compare yourself to a poor boy in Mexico, then your situation would be one of abundance. There is no big nor small, fast nor slow, except by comparison. Everything just IS. Thank you DOC boys for your most apt use of the phrase, "It is what it is."

I remember years ago when me and my wife Sally Jo visited my parents birth country of Mexico. We were visiting Joey who was at that time attendinding UCSDfor his 4th? or 5th year. A quick "hop, skip, and jump" and we were in Mexico! We were both amazed at how cheap everything was. We stayed at a hotel that would have cost $300 - $400 minimum in the USA for like, $100 night, tops!

We could get a soda for 10 cents and in our country (good ol' USA) 10 cents would not get us anything. So, what we choose to compare things to will determine if we perceive it as good or bad, at least that is what THIS law will have us believe. Everything in life IS and it is WE who decide what value we put on it. If you own a 5 year old car and you compare it to a brand new MBZ yours would look worse, but if you compare your car to a 15 year old, run down, tore back car, yours will look good. Amen! Stay with me now!

The Law of Cause and Effect:

The Law of Cause and Effect tells us that whatever you send into the universe comes back. Action / re-action are equal and opposite.

Every cause has its effect; every effect, its cause. There is no such thing as chance.

It is said that words like luck, chance and coincidence were invented to express the known effects of the unknown causes.

There is no such thing as luck or chance. Everything happens according to the Law of cause and effect.

Generally speaking, by focusing on the Cause, the Effect will automatically take care of itself.

This Law is sometimes referred to- The Law of Laws. It is powerful. You get back what you put out. It's like a boomerang. You throw it out and it comes back.

If you put a negative out, you will get a negative back. Also, when you put a positive out you will get a positive back, maybe not straight away, but it will come. It is the Law and the Laws of the Universe never err once (yes, in a perfect world, I know, I know, Amen!). Thank you Lord for creating EVERYTHING so perfect!

The Law of Cause and Effect is often referred to as Karma. In Indian religions Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect.

Now, the New Testament expresses this law with this thought:

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Galatians 6:7

And as Christian's we hold the Bible as our rule of thumb, or Faith, let's say. Amen? Amen. For the rest of you all, you can continue to refer to it as, "Karma." At least until you come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and then you won't have to anymore.

The Law Of Cause and Effect is inescapable. You get back what you send out. It delivers back to you, the results of whatever you give to it. Hence, the choices/decisions you and I make will set in motion a chain of reactions and give you back a result corresponding to whatever that decision triggered.

The universe is operated by God's universal laws. And thing's happen in our lives as a result of these laws.

This is why I am suffering with several health issue's I won't bore you with. Suffice it to say that IF a person insists and persists to live a life of sin, THEN that person WILL reap the consequences. No "probably" about it- it's gonna happen. I know this first hand. I would be STUPID and an IDIOT to deny that today. I may not have believed that when I was indulging in sin without limitations, but as I sit here writing this, I just don't feel 100 physically, you know, and I know why. It comes as no surprise to me NOW. One thing I have never been is stupid. I've done foolish things out of necessity to support a growing narcotics/opiate habit, but stupid- no. I want to believe that of you also, reader. YOU ARE NOT STUPID. Prove me right!

Knowing these truths today and understanding that our God is not to be understood by "taking one verse of scripture, and that, out of context", but rather by reading the Bible as a whole and getting an over-all view of how our infinite God thinks, we can then get a better understanding and handle as to the mind of God, yes? Yes!

I've used the universal law's that our God has established, and my personal case in particular, in order to illustrate to you, the reader, that these law's affect you as an individual whether you choose to believe in them or not. They are irrelevant to your beliefs or lack of beliefs. They just ARE, and this in spite of you and I. Amen!

That being said, I offer this as an argument against the much-often distorted view of marriage, divorce-and-remarriage within and without the Christian community, understanding that not all will want to see it this way because many times when issues touch us personally, we begin to get a little "soft" with them, irregardless of what they may be, but "this way"; this truth, is "God's way"; God's Truth based on a solid study of the Scriptures and with the help of God's Holy Ghost ("Holy Spirit" for those of you who don't subscribe to the Biblical use of the word, "Ghost.")

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Romans 3:4 Allow God's Holy Spirit to minister these Truth's to you.

"While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation." Hebrews 3:15 Amen. Only remain soft in heart and believe.

Marriage Issues

Part 1

What the Bible Says about Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage:

This is the beginning of my personal position statement on the issues of . . .

marriage

divorce

remarriage

My interest is not in promoting my view. My interest is finding God's will. The only way I know to do that is to consult the written expression of His will and His ways: the Bible, God's inspired Word.

So this first part consists of an overview of the Scriptures that pertain most directly to these subjects and to us in the New Testament era of grace and holiness.

The second part will speak to what constitutes marriage and to whom do God's marriage laws apply.

Now, let's go on to the Word. Let's go!

Marriage is a universal law (here's that term again), applicable to all humans, not just Jews and not just Christians:

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh"(Genesis 2:24).

Jesus takes us back to the beginning:

"And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh" (Matthew 19:4,5)

Jesus makes it clear:

"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:6).

But what about Moses? Well, is your heart soft or hard? And, go back to the beginning!

"He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so" (Matthew 19:8).

Oh, Oh, an exception?

"And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, *except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery" (Matthew 19:9). note: *fornication as used HERE is defined as a SINGLE person, in other words, neither partner has ever been previously married or, having been previously married, has become a widow or widower. I do not believe that divorce changes a person's marital status in God's eyes from married to single. The over-all thinking of the Bible DOES NOT SUPPORT that view! Amen!

Another writer, another audience, same Author, NO exception:

"But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery (emphasis mine) against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery" (Mark 10:6-12). There is no "play" with Word's- it say's what it means and means what is says! That's all!

Back again to the law of the beginning; the duration of the marriage bond and the circumstance that breaks it:

"For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the "universal" (italic's and emphasis mine) law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband" (Romans 7:2). Amen.

Marriage while the first spouse still lives is . . .

"So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man" (Romans 7:3).

A command of God to spouses:

"Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife" (1 Corinthians 7:3,4).

Should a spouse need to separate, then what?

"And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife" (1 Corinthians 7:10,11).

Another circumstance that breaks the marriage bond?

"But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace" (1 Corinthians 7:15). (yes, PEACE, but NOT re-marry! -Brother Art)

Another interesting distraction:

"Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God" (1 Corinthians 7:20,24).

A beautiful analogy; parallel:

"So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones" (Ephesians 5:28-30).

*If you are with me, allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you with these two following verses concerning this entire discourse we are engaged in:

"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: BUT I SPEAK CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE CHURCH." (Ephesians 5:31,32) (Thank you Holy Ghost; now back to the lesson at hand...)

The previous helps us understand a bit the universal law of marriage:

"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh" (Ephesians 5:31).

Whose wife?! Not lawful by what law? (Would you part company with your head, literally, over this issue? Hmmm...Didn't think so. ) God's UNIVERSAL LAW OF MARRIAGE FROM THE BEGINNING!

"For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have THY BROTHER'S WIFE" (Mark 6:17,18).

Does this pertain at all?

"Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly" (John 4:16-18).

True repentance involves both confessing sin AND forsaking sin as illustrated by Jesus to the the woman caught in the "very act" of adultery:

"When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: GO, AND SIN NO MORE." (John 8:10,11) The logic and reason that God has given us dictates us to arrive at this conclusion! Unfortunately, many stop short of reading the entire 32nd verse and end with, "Neither do I condemn thee..." without reading, "GO, AND SIN NO MORE."

There. That's it for now. Amen.

However, let me try to summarize where the above Scriptures lead me to stand:

Marriage is a universal law.
Marriage is a duly-recognized covenant relationship entered into by a single man and a single woman.
Marriage lasts until one spouse dies.
Even after a divorce is forgiven the original marriage exists before God.
To remarry while the first spouse is still living is contrary to the will of God.
- Remarriage is an act which God forgives upon repentance.
- Remarriage is a state which must be abandoned. "How shall we, that are dead to sin, continue any longer therein?" (Romans 6:2). Amen.

Marriage Issues
Part 2
What Is Marriage and for Whom?

Welcome to Part 2 of my personal position statement on the issues of marriage, divorce, and remarriage.

I have decided to address two questions in this part:

God's laws of marriage apply to whom?

What constitutes marriage?

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).

That verse very briefly but conclusively states God's law of marriage. (and which was repeated by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:31,32 in direct correlation to how one becomes a member of His (God's) church; His Body! This I say to whet your appetite to another great Truth which we will deal with in greater detail in the near future! If you can "see" the truths revealed in and through this discourse on marriage, you will not have any problems "seeing" the correlation between "marriage" and the "Body of Christ.")

Key to our understanding of its applicability is the realization that God stated this law on the very first day of human history. Obviously what God had to say when He established marriage long predates Judaism and Christianity. Therefore, we have no option but to conclude that marriage is a UNIVERSAL LAW, applicable to ALL humans. (Here we go with them universal laws, again. )

This truth is key to my position on these very difficult issues related to marriage, divorce, as well as remarriage. Therefore:

I believe that a legitimate marriage between two unbelievers is every bit as binding and lasting as is a legitimate marriage between two Christians.

Therefore, I also believe that divorce for unbelievers is as wrong as it is for Christians.

So, of course, I would believe divorce-and-remarriage is sin for ANY couple WITHOUT REGARD to their spiritual standing before God.

When Jesus was asked about divorce, He went way back to Genesis 2:24 and then reemphasized the thorough union of the marriage relationship, saying, "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh" (Matthew 19:6). He concludes (in that verse) by making clear God's wishes, intents and purposes: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

This would naturally lead us to ask at what point God joins together a man and a woman.

I believe marriage is a duly-recognized covenant relationship entered into by a single man and a single woman.

To help you understand what I mean by that, I'll elaborate briefly on three concepts:

"duly-recognized":

Generally speaking, I believe this is a societal function. In Western societies, this usually takes the form of a religious ceremony and/or a civil ceremony. In some remote jungle somewhere yet untouched by the Gospel (in our day and age, can such a place truly exist???), it could even be a ceremony performed by a witch doctor! I'm just saying! MY POINT IS, cultures will often (always?) establish the "event or ceremony" which couples must engage in, in order to achieve a duly-recognized marriage. I do not think it's enough for a couple to just enter into a covenant relationship on their own, expecting that to establish a legitimate marriage before God! It takes a "human agent" to administer the covenant! Amen!

"covenant":

This is about promises and commitments. Even if the couple decides to leave out the "till death do us part" clause, the fact that they enter into this duly-recognized

marriage relationship makes it for life. Amen!

"single": (this is NOT my definition. It is based on a thorough search and definition based on Websters Dictionary of King James Words 1828 edition-

please see accompaning definitions at end of this paper. It was no mistake that the authors of the KJV used certain words. -Hermano Art)

In other words, neither partner has ever been previously married or, having been previously married, has become a widow or widower. I do not believe that divorce changes a person's marital status in God's eyes from married to single. Amen!

I do not believe that sexual relations constitute or establish marriage. Some people may believe sex constitutes marriage, but for me such a definition raises too many questions. I believe this physical union could be said to CONSUMMATE the marriage, but it doesn't CONSTITUTE marriage.

God's laws of marriage apply to whom? Humans, ALL of God's creation, not just Jews or Christians.

What constitutes marriage? A duly-recognized covenant relationship entered into by a "single" man and a "single" woman; IN THE SENSE THAT NEITHER HAS EVER BEEN MARRIED OR IF THEY HAVE, THEIR SPOUSE IS NOW DEAD (no living spouse).
Well, that's it. That's where I stand on these issues. Why ANYONE who is sincere and may I add, "in their right mind" cannot "see" this in this scriptures is beyond me. But scripture reminds us over and over that this would happen "in the last days."
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Cor. 4:4)
"He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. (John 12:40) Amen

God richly bless you,

Hermano Arthur Carrillo (edited on Friday, 01/19/2018)

Zion Assembly Church of God in Visalia, CA 93277

local web site: http://www.zacog-centralcal.wix.com/visalia-california

NOTE WORD DEFINITIONS: fornication and adultery as used by the KJV Bible authors per 1828 Websters Dictionary of KJV Bible words:

According to: http://1828.mshaffer.com

FORNICA'TION, n. [L. fornicatio.]

1. The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman.

2. Adultery. Matt. 5.

3. Incest. 1Cor. 5.

4. Idolatry; a forsaking of the true God, and worshipping of idols. 2Chron. 21. Rev. 19.

ADUL'TERY, n. [L. adulterium. See Adulterate.]

1. Violation of the marriage bed; a crime, or a civil injury, which introduces, or may introduce, into a family, a spurious offspring.

By the laws of Connecticut, the sexual intercourse of any man, with a married woman, is the crime of adultery in both: such intercourse of a married man, with an unmarried woman, is fornication in both, and adultery of the man, within the meaning of the law respecting divorce; but not a felonious adultery in either, or the crime of adultery at common law, or by statute. This latter offense is, in England, proceeded with only in the ecclesiastical courts.

In common usage, adultery means the unfaithfulness of any married person to the marriage bed. In England, Parliament grant absolute divorces for infidelity to the marriage bed in either party; and the spiritual courts divorce a mensa et thoro.

2. In a scriptural sense, all manner of lewdness or unchastity, as in the seventh commandment.

3. In scripture, idolatry, or apostasy from the true God. Jer. 3.

4. In old laws, the fine and penalty imposed for the offense of adultery.

5. In ecclesiastical affairs, the intrusion of a person into a bishopric, during the life of the bishop.

6. Among ancient naturalists, the grafting of trees was called adultery, being considered as an unnatural union.

According to: http://av1611.com

KJV Dictionary Definition: fornicated

fornicated

FORN'ICATED, a. L. fornicatus, from fornix, an arch. Arched; vaulted like an oven or furnace.

fornication

FORNICA'TION, n. L. fornicatio.

1. The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman.

2. Adultery. Matt. 5.

3. Incest. 1Cor. 5.

4. Idolatry; a forsaking of the true God, and worshipping of idols. 2Chron. 21. Rev. 19.

fornicator

FORN'ICATOR, n.

1. An unmarried person, male or female, who has criminal conversation with the other sex; also, a married man who has sexual commerce with an unmarried woman. See Adultery.

2. A lewd person.

3. An idolater.

Definitions from Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.

KJV Dictionary Definition: adultery

adultery

ADUL'TERY, n. L. adulterium. See Adulterate.