What should we say about a situation where a person desires to obey the gospel, but they have been divorced for an unscriptural reason (Matt. 5:32; 19:9) and are now remarried? There has been lots of controversy on this subject, but it is clear that the basic concept of repentance necessitates a severance of the unscriptural marriage. Without this, the adultery continues (Romans 7:2,3) and forgiveness is impossible.
Some brethren have gone to great lengths in attempts to justify the unscripturally divorced and remarried couple remaining together. Very often an emotional appeal of this nature is made: “I just can’t believe that God would require such a difficult thing.” “How could a loving God demand it?” “What about the children?”
These questions can be easily answered by referring to an historical situation that developed in the days following the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity. They violated the law of God by inter-marrying with people from other nations (Ezra 9: 1-4; Deut. 7:3). What were they instructed to do to resolve this sinful situation? Separate from those mates! Note:
“And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.” (Ezra 10:10-11)
The difficulty of this action was compounded by the fact that children had been born to many of these unions (Ezra 10:44). But God’s will was clear, and his faithful people saw that it was taught and obeyed.
So, the emotional arguments notwithstanding, we see that God has in the past required separation from unauthorized marriages. Why would it be different now?
– by Greg Gwin