I- With the Lord's leading, I am attempting to:
     (A) shed light on some of the reasons that have definitely caused confusion over 
            the past  30 to 40 years;
     (B) be concise, yet ... complete enough, to answer your questions.

1- The first section is, "obvious reasons" that are causing confusion:
    ** reasons "fundamental" pastors give for remarriage creating confusion which     
         are deeply buried spiritual fault lines (spiritual earthquake) because they
         are unknown to the listener.  **This section was updated June 19, 2007
 

         **My first personal experience with this issue as a Pastor.

       ** reasons "Christian" husbands and wives give for their remarriages which,
            to the hearer, should be clearly visible spiritual (spiritual earthquake)
            fault lines.

2- The second section is, "subtle ERRORS" that are major reasons for confusion:

The doctrinal errors which, when compared with the Word of God, are clearly visible spiritual fault lines.  (spiritual earthquake)
[A] Salvation covers this sin. Remarriage is the only sin that God's grace doesn't
      require repentance (stop and turn from). 
[B] Unrepentant immoral spouse is a justifiable reason for remarriage.
[C] Desertion by an unsaved spouse is a justifiable reason for remarriage.
[D] The sin of presumption.

3- The third section is the "Word of God, building on the Rock with no Spiritual 
     fault lines" with my personal commentaries.  The following is the heart and soul 
     of this issue.
There are four irrevocable roadblocks to remarriage while a divorced spouse is still living:
[A = #1] The Word of God;
[B = #2] The irrevocable one flesh relationship;

              Because "confession" is not "repentance" and "divorce" is not "death":
            **Our 21st century fundamental church "ABSOLUTION" of sin.
            **What is the seriousness of the "one Flesh Relationship"
      
[C = #3] The irrevocable wedding vows;
[D = #4] Certainly not true of all, yet, when listening to folks, it seems to me that the
               following is true of the majority, 
              The irrevocable "known" -- consensual sexual intimacy before marriage.
[E] Salvation is free but living our Christian life is not free & never has been free.
      [a] Before His crucifixion Jesus WARNED ALL to -
           "count the cost of discipleship" before making a decision to follow Him;
      [b] After His crucifixion Jesus WARNED the CHURCH to          
            "count the cost of the Christian life and obedience."

THE QUESTION OF ETERNAL SECURITY / SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER  
and divorced  and remarried.

FIRST SECTION
""SOME VERY OBVIOUS REASONS FOR CONFUSION""

"Roads to certain disaster"

Isaiah 3:12b
"O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err,
And destroy the way of your paths."

(1-A)
 "Comments from MANY - fundamental(?) Pastors(?)"

Three very important verses to think about as you read this section
concerning what Pastors have said:

Revelation 21:8 
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." 

Revelation 21:27 
"But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."

Revelation 22:15 
"But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie." 

Over the past 30 years I have heard the following comments from Pastor after Pastor from Michigan to Florida; from Florida to Arizona; from Arizona to Washington State and Washington State to New York.

The following quotes are not hearsay but are quotes from personal conversations I have had with Senior Pastors and Assistant Pastors.  The following comments certainly reveal deeply  buried... spiritual fault  lines:

**A number of years ago a Pastor in a neighboring city thought it would be very helpful if my wife and I became members of his ministry and gave him a helping hand.  Before joining his ministry I gave him my "Philosophy of Ministry" manuscript that gives great detail about our convictions concerning divorce and divorce / remarriage.  After several months of helping the ministry by teaching a singles and married couples class, one of the deacons called and asked to meet with me.  He started the conversation by telling me that he was divorced and remarried and "he was very sure that my wife and I were not aware of his situation."  He also wanted us to know that at the next annual business meeting, of the five men to be considered for the "Office of Deacon," three were divorced men whose divorced wives were still living and that two of those men would certainly be elected.  The majority of the Deacon's Board would be divorced and remarried men whose divorced wives were still living.

When I confronted the Pastor, this is what I was told:
"Brother.  When I graduated from Seminary I didn't believe in divorce and remarriage while a divorced spouse was still alive.  In my very first ministry I was confronted with the issue and I had to make a decision.   Because I believed that the Lord had called me to preach and ... because I had a family to feed, I made the decision to preach and feed my family".

Question: Did this Pastor say that he had changed his mind about what the
                   Word of God taught?
Answer:    No, he changed his approach to ministry!
Question:  Did he become a liar -- just so he could preach?
Question:  Is he remaining in his ministry by causing and practicing a lie?

**"Brother, if I preached Romans 7:2-4, and 1 Corinthians 7:39, I wouldn't have a church left."

Question: Did this Pastor say that he had changed his mind about what the
                   Word of God taught?
Answer:    No, he changed his approach to ministry!
Question:  Did he become a liar -- just so he could preach?
Question:  Is he remaining in his ministry by causing and practicing a lie?

 **"When I graduated from Seminary I didn't agree with divorce and remarriage while a divorced spouse was still alive..."but" ...the Church that called me had those folks as members."

Question: Did this Pastor say that he had changed his mind about what the
                   Word of God taught?
Answer:    No, he changed his approach to ministry!
Question:  Did he become a liar -- just so he could preach?
Question:  Is he remaining in his ministry by causing and practicing a lie?

**"When I graduated from Seminary I didn't agree with divorce and remarriage while a divorced spouse was still alive..."but" ...all of the other men in my area [conference, denomination, association etc.] are doing it."

Question: Did this Pastor say that he had changed his mind about what the
                   Word of God taught?
Answer:    No, he changed his approach to ministry!
Question:  Did he become a liar -- just so he could preach?
Question: Is he remaining in his ministry by causing and practicing a lie?

**"When I graduated from Seminary I didn't agree with divorce/remarriage while a divorced spouse was still alive..."but" the members of my congregation told me over and over again that Dr. Herb Vander Lugt, Radio Bible Class, Dr. Charles Swindoll and Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family all teach that God's mercy and grace covers this."

Question: Did this Pastor say that he had changed his mind about what the
                   Word of God taught?
Answer:    No, he changed his approach to ministry!
Question:  Did he become a liar -- just so he could preach?
Question:  Is he remaining in his ministry by causing and practicing a lie?

**Dr. James Dobson

I have in my files a document that I received from Dr. Dobson's  Director, Office of the President, dated May 1, 1996 that states that Dr. Swindoll is the author of Dr. Dobson's convictions concerning divorce and remarriage.  His Director also enclosed  Dr. Swindoll's 1981 booklet entitled "When It All Comes Tumbling Down"; Multnomah Press; ISBN 0-930014-64-2 for his documentation.

While living in Lakewood, Colorado, I drove to Dr. Dobson's headquarters in Colorado Springs just to talk with or personally schedule an appointment to speak with him.  I was unable to speak with anyone other than his Administrators and Directors.  His Administrators and directors were polite, knew his position, had my position document in hand because I had previously sent a copy and I also handed them a copy as I stood there concerning remarriage.  I was refused permission to meet with him then or make any future appointments.

The reason for the previous letter and booklet was that his Director had written to me:

"Dr. Dobson isn't a theologian, he's a psychologist.  He has deferred his position concerning remarriage to Dr. Swindoll who is a theologian."

When I read his explanation over 20 years ago, my thought then and still remains the same today, "what an incredible admission.  Dr. Dobson's whole radio, television, seminar, authored books and booklet ministries are theologically founded and known as a 'family ministry'".

Sadly, in 2001, Ryan Dobson, Dr. Dobson's son, divorced his wife.  It was said then and since his divorce that he was totally against his own divorce because he believed and stated that "his divorce was without Biblical grounds".  Why then did Ryan remarry?  Further, wouldn't it seem reasonable that Focus on the Family and Dr. Dobson would not allow Ryan, a man who is now living in sin according to their own stated theology, to have any part or position in their ministries?   

Folks, each and every one of us live with and experience God's Biblical "Law of the Harvest"...law.  I love Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family.  It isn't my desire to "throw the baby out with the bath water" though -- I must confess to you --  I have lost confidence in his and their integrity.  The lesson and reality is that he is now another example of what happens when we teach and allow ourselves to believe any inaccurate doctrine (heresy).   God initiated His eternal "Law of the Harvest" (Read Genesis chapter 3) at the very beginning of creation and He warns us to:

"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."
  (Proverbs 4:23)
 
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

What is the law of the harvest?

1- We reap what we sow, i.e., we plant corn and we reap corn;
2- We always reap more than we sow, i.e., we plant a kernel of corn and reap a stalk
     with "many ears" of corn;
3- We never reap in the same season that we sow, i.e. we plant in the spring and we reap in the fall.

Because we reap what we plant at a much later time and date than when the sin was sown, we very often feel blindsided {Why did this happen to me?) by the results of our sins.  Consider Ryan Dobson, Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family and their present situation for our understanding:

In the Spring of Dr. Dobson's ministry he asked for, accepted and followed Dr. Swindoll's counsel.   For many years (the following seasons), Dr. Swindoll, Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family have continued teaching the heresy that there are exceptions to God's marriage commands.  Now it is the Fall years of Dr. Dobson's ministry and -- Ryan Dobson, his son -- has followed his Dad's doctrine and not the Lord's and has remarried in total disobedience to the Word of God.  Do we now understand the law of the harvest?

Please consider rule #2, "we always reap more than we sow," i.e., they are now teaching to all who know them and sit under their ministries that divorce and remarriage is acceptable with God.  Can anyone possibly know how many have in the past and will, in the future, divorce and remarry in violation of the Word of God due to Dr. Dobson's teaching and Ryan Dobson's example?

Questions:

**Parents, do we really want to destroy a marriage and the lives within our 
    marriage through divorce?
**Do we really desire to have the marriages of our adult children, grandchildren etc. 
    become a divorce tragedy?

The New Testament Scriptures were written in Koiné Greek, which was the common, everyday, working people's -- Greek language.   The Word of God isn't written so that only Doctors of Theology can understand it but is "God's text book" and "God's manual" for-and-to the common, everyday working person, you and me.  Our easy-to-read Bible clearly teaches the Biblical permanence and sanctity / holiness of marriage.  That this Doctor {who is a University graduate with a doctoral degree] is entrusting the very foundation of his total ministry to the thoughts and convictions of some other man and -- hasn't trusted his own personal Lord to correctly direct his personal convictions for his own  ministry is a serious violation of 1 John 2:26-27, "These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. [27] But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."

If you take nothing else away from this page, please take this:
Our God is our personal one-on-one God.  He keeps no secrets from His children and He -- personally -- instructs all who will obey Him James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Second hand theology -- is -- like second hand gossip.  The information -- is -- never the same at the end as it started and -- it is -- always distorted and damaged information.

**Dr. Herb Vander Lugt (Because of my respect for Dr. Vander Lugt, for almost four years I posted the Daily Bread Tribute for him at this point of the Lord's and my page.  I've removed it.)

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:
It is important to note that the following was posted to this page many years prior to Dr. Vander Lugt's death.  I posted the following in November of 1999, Dr. Vander Lugt died December 2, 2006 and he knew of this posting, because, when I posted it, I emailed it to him for his attention.  He never refuted the following, THEREFORE, I will not remove the information:

I have in my files the lengthy October of 1999 email discussion with  Dr. Herb Vander Lugt of the Radio Bible Class, who, at that time was a leading Christian radio and publications minister.  He wrote to me (and I have his email on file) that he didn't disagree with the texts or verses that I provided or -- the conclusions that I presented to him.  He continued with that he had difficulty... with a "hard and fast" interpretation of the Word of God ...because he felt that anything beyond praying for these folks and accepting divorce and remarriage as a fact of life in today's society was... in his opinion  (verbatim and not my addition)..."too harsh".  When I asked him if he was telling me that "God was too harsh" concerning (1) His will for the nation of Israel as recorded in Ezra 10:3 "Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law".  And (2) His command to Noah and his family as recorded for us in Hebrews 11:7 "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith," and again 1 Peter 3:20, "Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine long suffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water,"  Dr. Vander Lugt  would not give me an answer.

Question:   Did Dr. Vander Lugt say that he had changed his mind about what the
                     Word of God taught?
Answer:      No!  In fact, he said that he didn't disagree with the Scriptures or
                     my approach to the word of God.  He changed this approach
                     in ministry!  
Question:   As pertaining to divorce and remarriage, did he cause and practice a
                     lie?

The following is my personal experience concerning this very issue of the divorced and remarried in Church family ministries and membership:

In 1982, I was 37 years old, a husband and a father of three sons (one in junior high and two in high school) when I was called and installed in my very first ministry.   I had no idea that over 90% of the membership and visitors were divorced and remarried with a divorced spouse yet living.  I was their Pastor for over six-months when the Lord gave me a message concerning the sanctity and permanence of marriage and I didn't preach that message.  For two weeks I did not preach that message and the Sunday morning of the third week, as I was in the kitchen getting ready to leave for church, our Lord stopped me with a very quiet, "Robert, when are you going to preach that message I gave you?"  Instantly I knew what message it was and immediately and without any hesitation I TEARFULLY AND FEARFULLY said to Him, "Lord, if I preach that message 90% of the members and visitors will not return for the evening service.  HE REMAINED, SILENT.  Guess what folks?  I was correct!  After preaching that message those members and visitors that were divorced and remarried with a divorced spouse yet living did not return.  The very next day, Monday, following the preaching of that message -- our mail box began filling up with letters containing checks from folks we had never heard of or met in our lives.  It was then that I realized that our Lord had just taught me the most important lesson that I was ever going to learn as a Pastor Shepherd in a very convincing manner, "the Church is His Church and not my Church."  We had a conviction then that was reinforced at that time and continues to this very day that God's work done God's way will never lack God's provisions.  We have never asked anyone, family, friends, Churches or even our Home Mission for funds to support us in our ministries.  Our God doesn't fail His servants!!  When our God calls -- He empowers!  When He empowers He pays the bills!!!  37 years of age was over 40 years ago.  Since that remarkable Sunday of my very first Pulpit ministry I've Pastored Churches, Interim Pastored Churches, Pulpit supplied, have been guest speaker, closed, reorganized and started Churches.  I'm now almost 70 years old and our Lord is yet being faithful!

Today, this web site continues reaching folks across our globe with the truths from the Word of God concerning Salvation in and through the shedding of our Saviour Jesus Christ's blood, His death, burial and His resurrection, and, the sanctity and permanence of life (in and out of the womb) and marriage (until death). 

What does the Word of God teach us
concerning lying Pastors?

Revelation 21:8 
" But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." 

Revelation 21:27 
" But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."

Revelation 22:15 
" But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie." 

Later that same month, after I had completed the lengthy email discussion  with Dr. Vander Lugt,  I experienced one of my most frustrating situations in ministry.  In answer to my request that the leadership of the Radio Bible Class ask Dr. Vander Lugt to reconsider his remarriage position, one of his directors, who was a member of a very large fundamental church in Michigan, sent me an email saying that the Senior Pastor of the church that he is a member of did not agree with remarriage when a divorced spouse was still living and he would not perform weddings for the divorced folks in that situation.  The Assistant Pastor saw nothing wrong with divorce and remarriage when a divorced spouse is yet living and -- did perform -- weddings for the divorced -- in their church sanctuary.  He concluded with - "and, our church membership doesn't have any problem with this arrangement." (Please read  Hebrews 13:17; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 14:33)

Is it any wonder that the world scoffs at the Christian community and the Word of God?

**A young, struggling Pastor said... "I'm just parroting what the others are saying."

**An Associate Pastor of Christian Education of a large fundamental Baptist Church in Colorado made the following statement to my wife and me after asking me for a concise statement summing up divorce and remarriage:  "Brother, wouldn't it be nice if we could base our "policies" on the Word of God rather than "convenience?"  Incredibly, realizing and acknowledging this sin, he remained as the Associate Pastor of Christian Education.

*A pastor from Wisconsin wrote, "Brother, I preached the Word of God concerning the permanence and sanctity of marriage.  From the Word of God I explained to my members that the vows "until death do us part" spoken at their weddings when they were married can not be dissolved until death.  I read and preached to them that the "one flesh relationship" created by God in marriage can not be dissolved until the death of a spouse.  Later that week I was called before our denominational regional directors and told that if I didn't reconsider my position concerning this controversial subject ... they would consider the revocation of my "Ordination Certificate" as a Minister of the Word of God and my "Preacher's License".   

A foot note to this Pastor's dilemma:  I praise the Lord that I can report to you that one week later the Lord provided him with a part time job, complete with a "living wage" and a paid "family benefits package" to encourage him and protect his income and his family needs regardless of what the church or his regional directors decided to do.  Another man in the community noticed that his vehicle was in need of repairs, bought his broken down vehicle for a ridiculous amount of money with the words, "now you can afford a good car."   PTL!

This Brother wrote the following follow up:

"We are growing one person at a time, and the first thing I hit is the marriage covenant.  I want all new ones to know where we stand.  It's funny, a babe in the Lord just says...yup, I see it; but that old crusty, tradition laden attender ... just does not want to hear it."

Please note:  The following reason: "I made the decision to preach and feed my family" is -- BY FAR -- the most used excuse that I have heard from pastors, violating the clear Word of God.

QUESTION:  Are any of the above reasons given to me by pastors BIBLICAL REASONS to justify another marriage (remarriage) for a divorced individual when their divorced spouse is still living?

Is it possible that one of these ministers may have been your very own pastor or the minister who officiated at your wedding?  Tell me, shouldn't all of the listed reasons given for violating their original convictions be considered as" very serious, deeply buried spiritual fault lines" on which you and others have built their earthly and eternal futures upon?  

PERSONAL NOTE:
By posting the reasons that I have been given by my peers (Pastor / Shepherds), I am attempting to make you aware that imperfect men make less than desirable decisions for reasons that are far from godly, causing others to sin and fail in their personal lives, the lives of their families, friends, acquaintances and cause others to follow their examples and sin and fail, also.  Just a reminder, what is their reward?  "But there shall by no means enter it (Heaven) anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." (Revelation 21:27)

Can you imagine our Lord saying to you or anyone else "Ok, you were living in sin but I'll overlook it" when He hears any of the following answers:

Jesus, Dr. James Dobson told me my that remarriage was ok because Dr. Swindoll told him that he felt that it was ok.

Or,  Jesus, I did nothing wrong because my Dad said I could do it.

How about, Jesus, Dr. John MacArthur said I had to remain in my sin.

Or, my marriage had to be ok because I was a Church member.

Or last but far from the least, "my marriage had to be ok because my Pastor was a remarried man!".

The word of God already gives us the answer, 2 Corinthians 5:10, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." 

Having said this, BEWARE, there are some who, against all they know and believe will -- out of fear or for personal gain -- do, say and promote ungodly positions and teachings in this life. 

Acts 20:30
"Also of your own selves shall men arise,
speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples after them." 

When you and I are personally kneeling before our Lord and Saviour we will never have the privilege of shifting our personal responsibility for any decisions to someone else.  When asked by our Lord why we did -- or -- did not do, say or think something.

Mark 10:2-12 
'"And some Pharisees came up to Him, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife. [3] And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?" [4] And they said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and SEND her away." [5] But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. [6] But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. [7] For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, [8] AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh. [9] What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." [10] And in the house the disciples began questioning Him about this again. [11] And He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; [12] and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery."'   (Please note, Our Lord made no "qualifiers / exception" clauses; divorce & remarry ='s adultery.)

Matthew 19:10 
'"The disciples said to Him, "If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry." (Please note, His disciples, the men who knew Him best, understood exactly what He said and what He meant and they took Him at His Word.  Do we?)

This is my personal Mailbox for Email.
How can I encourage you?

_______________________________________________________________________

1-B
"REASONS - Christian - HUSBANDS AND WIVES
HAVE GIVEN ME FOR THEIR REMARRIAGE"

Over the years I have been told the following ... by men and women ... "humanoids" who are just like you and me.   The statements below represent only a few of the countless throng of humanity, who remarried and now their conscience won't let them sleep at night and they are miserable when they think about their marriage during the day.  The following comments reveal deeply buried and clearly visible... spiritual fault lines:

**When I grew up I was taught that remarriage was a sin.  When I got married I believed that my marriage was "until death do us part."   That is what I was taught and that is what I believed.

**My spouse was a drunk [or abusive; a  lazy-good-for-nothing, etc.] so we got a divorce.  My friends told me that I hadn't done anything wrong and I certainly didn't deserve to be single the rest of my life.  I knew... my ... Pastor wouldn't remarry me... "so I found a preacher who would.  

**I'm a man and... I have needs.  And, I'm a woman and... I have needs.

Important note: The key thought for both men and women is that their primary reason for this response is that they had unmet sexual needs and passions; companionship was secondary in importance for men and companionship coupled with safety was secondary in importance for the women.  We need to face a key reality here because these responses were said by "Christian" men and women.  They were married and now they are divorced and dealing with fleshly lust, correct?  God's Word has their answer: Ephesians 2:1-3, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, [2] in which you once walked (before our salvation) according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, [3] among whom also we all once (before our salvation) conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath (before our salvation), just as the others."

The divorced Christian's solution: Galatians 5:16-17, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. [17] For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please."  Remarriage isn't the solution, walking in the Spirit and obeying the Word of God is the solution! 

**I have kids to raise and it isn't fair that I should have to raise them all by myself no matter what anyone says.

**I didn't want a divorce but he / she left me, and, I am not going to live alone.

**My spouse was guilty of adultery so I got a divorce and remarried.

**After my divorce I didn't know how I would survive.  The Lord brought a wonderful Christian into my life and we got married.

**After my divorce I met a wonderful person.  I was sure that my Pastor wouldn't consider marrying us so, I was prepared to find a preacher who would.  Before I did that I went to my own Pastor and asked if he would marry us.  I was shocked when he told me that he had recently changed his mind concerning remarriage.  He performed the wedding for us.

These are only a few of the excuses that I have been given for why folks have remarried in violation of what they were taught and what they knew was true, all of which... create a great deal of confusion for themselves and others.  If your conscience just will not give you peace because you're guilty of doing one of the above just so you could get married while your divorced spouse is still living, you know exactly what you must do.

This is my personal Mailbox for Email.
How can I encourage you?

_______________________________________________________________________

What is sin

James 4:17, "Therefore to him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
1 John 5:17a, "All unrighteousness is sin: ......"
Romans 14:23b, "...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

Commentary:
Within the soul of each and every person resides an intuitive knowledge [our conscience] of right and wrong.

Within the heart and soul of each and every "Truly Born Again" Christian not only resides an intuitive knowledge of right and wrong but more importantly, resides the Holy Spirit Who is the fullness of the Word of God.  

Any disobedience to either, our intuitive knowledge of right and wrong or to the Holy Spirit direction within is sin.  All sin, especially willful sin, deserves and does receive punishment / discipline.

 What are the Results of sin?

James 1:15, "Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings 
                      forth death."
Romans 6:23b, "For the wages of sin is death..."
John 9:31, "Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, 
                   and doeth hi will,  him he hears."

LESSON #1-  Unbeliever / unsaved, you know who you are
When any human being violates his conscience, a portion of his conscience is destroyed / dies creating a certain amount of guilt.  Repeating that conscience violating event becomes easier and easier because his conscience is being destroyed / dies one event at a time.  Eventually that individual is capable of sinning against himself and others without any remorse or guilt whatsoever.  He or she is truly a "dead man walking."

FYI:  As you read this we must certainly agree that there must be a real "Hell".   Why, because we hear about Hell in conversations wherever we go especially if you go to bars, sporting events and alcoholic driven parties and events.  Sin creates two obvious problems, first we look at ourselves in the mirror and or think about our lives and we ask, "What's wrong with me?  Why am I doing these things and living this way?  Answer, we're killing the good and respectable attributes that resides within us through sin.  Second, we realize that we're out of control.  My life is controlled by the very things that disgust me about myself.

Yes, there is a real Hell and all unsaved sinners eventually die and reside there for all eternity.  The wages of sin is that while I'm living this life I'm destroying everything that used to be good about me and around me.  And, eventually I physically die and reside in Hell.  

LESSON #2- The "Truly Born Again" Christian 
We, the "Truly Born Again" Christian, are in serious peril when we willfully sin because we not only violate our intuitive consciousness [our conscience] but we violate the still quiet voice of objection from the Holy Spirit, within.  We sear / harden our conscience, grieve / discourage the Holy Spirit [Ephesians 4:30] and despise Our Saviour [1 Thessalonians 4:7-8].  We are literally committing Spiritual, physical and emotional suicide. 

FYI:  When we sin, continue in any sin and refuse to repent  [confess and stop the sin] our God no longer listens to our prayers. CHRISTIAN, think about this!  What can happen in our lives and in the lives of those we love and or are personally responsible for, our children, wives, husbands, grandchildren, employees etc. if our prayers are not being answered?  Unanswered prayers doesn't only result in our Spiritual death [and possibly even our physical death, also] but can actually result in the Spiritual and physical deaths of others.  We hear too often about the abstract loss of eventual rewards in Heaven.  What about the here and now and the hours, days, months and years that we are yet going to live? No answered prayers?!  Meaning no positive directions from our lord in our lives.  I.e., because of unrepentant sin am I actually doing and living where my lord wants me to live and work?  Or, am I doing my own thing, totally without his divine protection and blessings?  Truly, we would be a "spiritually dead man walking".  All too often Christians equate financial well-being, career advancements, good health etc. as blessings from our Heavenly Father.

What is the Solution for sin?

Acts 3:19,
"Repent [means to stop what you are doing...my addition] ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord"

God's solution:

Romans 6:1, "What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?"
Romans 6:15, "What then?  Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?  
                         Certainly not!"
Ephesians 4:28-31,
"Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his 
hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. [29] Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31]  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."

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SECOND SECTION

"SOME VERY SUBTLE ERRORS CAUSING CONFUSION"

"Subtle because they are being taught by some very influential ministers
and
reveal some very deeply buried spiritual fault lines."

2 - A
"SALVATION COVERS THIS SIN"

Marriage, divorce and remarriage prior to salvation:

I suspect that the greatest amount of confusion is caused by Bible expositors and Christian ministry leaders, i.e. Dr. Swindoll and Dr. Dobson etc. who preach, teach and write, "If divorce is not covered by salvation then it is the only sin that is not covered by the shed blood of Jesus Christ."  Both of these men know that divorce isn't the issue, it's the remarriage following that divorce while a divorced spouse is yet living that's at issue!  Think about it, isn't Dr. Swindoll and Dr. Dobson actually teaching that

"divorce and the following remarriage while the divorced spouse is yet living is the only sin that God doesn't require the sinner to "repent / stop / cease from committing"?

Please don't get angry -- with me -- and close your heart and mind.  Think about the following situations and compare them to the sin of remarriage adultery.  Let's compare sin with sin.  Before salvation:

If I'm a liar, I must repent and apologize and somehow repair the damage caused by my lie,
Correct?

If I'm a thief, I must repent and make restitution, correct?

If I'm having an adulterous affair with someone, I must repent and stop the relationship.
Correct?

If I made my living by extortion, I must repent and make restitution, correct?
Correct?

I am living in an adulterous and sinful  marriage but, Dr. Swindoll, Dr. Dobson and Dr. MacArthur say I don't have to repent, I don't have to stop the relationship and I can remain in my sin, correct?  Any other sin I must repent of and stop the sin, but not this sin, correct?

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The following is the most dangerous
church family "positional statement" that I have ever read in my entire life!!
I've heard it said but I had never actually seen it in writing. 

Recently (added 6-25-2010) the "Executive" Pastor of a North Carolina church emailed their church family position statement concerning  marriage, divorce and  divorce & remarriage.  The following is a direct cut and paste from their doctrinal statement and is by far the most dangerous statement that I have ever read in my life:

Their Pastors teach:
     (church family statement)  
    "Christians that have remarried after a non-biblical divorce need to repent of
      their past sin, but are not obligated or free to correct their past error by
      divorcing their current spouse"
      (the red and underline highlight is my addition)
         
       FYI: You need to know that this church ministry doesn't provide a single verse
                 of Scripture for their new doctrine. I have asked their Executive
                 Pastor for their Scriptural foundation for this heresy and he hasn't
                 provided those Scriptures. 

God's command as written to the Church, to you and me is: 
     Romans 6:1-2, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that
     grace may abound? [2] Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live
     any longer in it?"

That statement is the most dangerous statement that I have ever read in my life because:

1) the authors of their church family doctrine are knowingly and willfully changing
    the very command of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

2)  The logical progression of sinful mankind (the sin nature) is that  if the sin of
      remarriage doesn't have to be stopped, then my sin doesn't have to be stopped
      either.

It can be rightly said that if adulterers are allowed membership and leadership status, how can you exclude the homosexuals and any other "alternate lifestyle living arrangement" individual from membership and leadership?!  (See the congressional movement concerning this issue and what it is going to mean to the 501c3 church (church ministry and property tax status) and membership tax exemptions  -- Link>>> immediate  action.

          The Scriptural proof for point #2 is found in
           A) Ecclesiastes 8:11, "Because the sentence against an evil work is not
                 executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set 
                 in them to do evil."
                 Note the progression:
                a) an evil work, singular progresses to
                b) the sons of men, plural!
      
          This is a parallel truth to:
            B)1 Corinthians 5:6, " Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that 
                 a little leaven leavens the whole lump?"
                  Note the progression:
                a) a little leaven, a small amount progresses to
                b) leavens the whole, all becomes leavened! 

Readers, the words "Repent" and "Repentance" are found in the Word of God a minimum 110 times.  The combination of the terms repent, repentance and turn from are found in the Scriptures a minimum of 181 times.  Each and every time these words are found they mean that what ever is in reference is to "cease / stop" immediately.  When our Lord says to you and me to repent, He means stop, stop and don't ask questions,  just stop it.  To teach that someone "needs to repent of their past sin, but are not obligated or free to correct " is a very dangerous heresy!!  

___________________________________________________

Reader, be sure to know that God fully understands all of the underlying issues for the reasons given leading up to a divorce and a remarriage.  Divorce is forgivable.  I'll repeat, Divorce is forgivable!  Divorce isn't the issue here, the issue is the following remarriage while a divorced spouse is yet living -- is the issue.  When it is taught that "Salvation and the blood of Christ covers this sin" without the necessity for that person living in adultery to repent, stop and remove themselves from that sin, they are actually teaching:

(1) salvation not only changes the person...

      they are ALSO TEACHING that

(2) salvation corrects the adulterous situation that is created by a remarriage when 
     the divorced spouse is still living (and yet they call this remarriage, sin).

If they are correct, then I will repeat, divorce and remarriage while a divorced spouse is yet living is the only sin that God doesn't require the sinner to "repent / stop / cease from committing the sin" because he has accepted Jesus Christ as His Saviour.  Interesting, not correct, just interesting.

Because they are teaching the above -- based on the many conversations that Mary and I have had with countless numbers of men and women -- THE FOLLOWING is happening over-and-over again:

We were not saved -- Born Again -- at the time of my divorce and remarriage.  We truly believed that when we accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour that made our 2nd. [3rd., 4th. etc] marriage ... ok.  We were taught that Salvation corrected our sin.

Dear reader, according to the Word of God, has Dr. Swindoll, Dr. Dobson, Dr. MacArthur  and many others deceived you?

And those of you who are reading this who were "Born Again" at the time of your divorce and following remarriage, you who said to yourself:  "Yes, I know remarriage is a sin but all I have to do is confess it as a sin after I'm remarried and -- I will be forgiven."  No, you have knowingly -- lied to and deceived yourself, Romans 1:18, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness."

Because our Lord and Saviour doesn't enumerate [give complete lists] each and every time He mentions "a" sin or sins in the Word of God, for the sake of clarity, let's expand the Romans 7:2-3 sin of adultery to include other sins that each and every reader knows must be confessed and repented of:

"For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. [3] So then if, while her husband is living, she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, though she is joined to another man."

QUESTION:  Can you think of any other situation in life that -- simply because you have now become a Christian -- Pastors, radio ministers and Evangelists will preach that the sinful activity that you are engaged in at the moment of your salvation is... no longer ...sinful?  For example, the professional thief?  If he accepts Christ as Saviour, being a thief is no longer a sin?  How about the pedophiles?  When these folks accept Jesus Christ as Saviour, their sexual molestation is no longer sinful?  Or the serial rapist?  How about the individual (man, woman or child) who walks into your church service as a Columbian or Mexican drug cartel member selling drugs and active in today's human slave trade?  Consider the businessman or woman, the pastor, the secretary, the brick layer, the carpenter, the school teacher, the housewife, the door-to-door salesman, plumber etc. that is daily and weekly active in an "adulterous relationship?"  When these folks accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour, are their sins no longer... sin?  They can continue in their sinful activities and become members and leaders of your Church Family? 

Over the past 30 to 40 years a number of very influential Pastors and Christian radio ministers who teach and preach that, yes, even though remarriage while a divorced spouse is yet living is sin (adultery), yet, they do not have to repent of that adulterous relationship, these men also continue to teach the following:

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

That 2 Corinthians 5:17 teaches Christ and His salvation... is the power ...for the "truly," Born Again Christian" to overcome any and all sins and temptations isn't even up for debate or discussion!!

These men are correct when they teach that according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, and many many other Scriptures in the Word of God, when a person is a "Truly Born Again Christian" he is a new creation in Christ Jesus.  Every thing in his... inner man..., his heart and soul, become new as well as his relationship to God.  As a "truly," Born Again Christian, he is a son of God and he now has the power within to walk away from sin, no longer continue in sin!!

John 1:12,  "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

1 John 3:2,  "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

In fact, as a "Truly Born Again Christian", we are more than just sons of God, we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ Who is our Saviour, our Lord and our brother.

Romans 8:17,  "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

They are also correct when they teach that as a "truly," Born Again Christian," all of his sins are forgiven him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." What isn't true and where these men are in serious error ... and ...what these men are overlooking is the reality and fact that the "life's circumstances" that these new "truly" Born Again Christians find themselves in at the moment and time of their salvation... do not and has not changed ...simply because of their conversion to Christ.  One of the most prominent of today's radio ministers has written a booklet which includes Ephesians 2:1-7 as one of his primary arguments that salvation covers it all. Please notice what Ephesians 2:2-3 teaches,

[2] Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:  [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

Notice the new power a "Truly Born Again Christian" now enjoys because he goes from being powerless over sin and his sinful friendships, "time past", to having a new and lasting internal power "over" and "in" all of life's circumstances.  He now has the courage to change his lifestyle and relationships. Satin no longer has the power of control over his life. He no longer remains a captive or prisoner "to" or "in" life's circumstances.  The "Truly Born Again Christian" is able to make the hard decisions and carry out those hard decisions from the moment of salvation until the moment of his death.  FYI: Simply because you and I are Truly born Again Christians doesn't make any of those hard decisions any less painful!!

The following are some examples:

*The thief on the cross Luke 23:39-43, "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed
  on him, saying, If you are Christ, save yourself and us. [40] But the other answering rebuked him, 
  saying, Don't you fear God, seeing you are in the same condemnation? [41] And we indeed justly; 
  for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man has done nothing amiss. [42] And he
  said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. [43] And Jesus said unto
  him,  Verily I say unto thee, today you will be with me in paradise."

*Peter, powerless before his conversion and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit  
  Luke 22:31-34,  "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you,
 that he may sift you as wheat [32]  But I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail: and 
 when thou art converted,  strengthen thy brethren. [33] And he [Peter...my addition] said
 unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. [34] And he said,
  I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shall deny three times that
 you knows me."

** Now see Peter, full of power, ...after his conversion and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Acts 3:12-17, "So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this?  Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. [14] But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, [15] and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. [16]  And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. [17] Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. [18] But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. [19]  Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord"

*All of the disciples, powerless before the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit
   Matthew 26:56, "But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
   Then all the disciples betrayed Him and fled."

**Peter John and Luke, full of power after Holy Spirit took residence within them (which happen to all Truly born Again Christians immediately upon their salvation) Acts 5:25-29, "So one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" [26] Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. [27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, [28] saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" [29] But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men."

*Let's get practical and consider the person who is guilty of murder and is sitting in the courtroom listening to his defense lawyer defend all of his lies.  Later, while he is in his holding cell outside of the courtroom, he is overwhelmed with the truth of his activities and cries out to Jesus Christ for salvation and... becomes a "truly," Born Again Christian.

**Questions:  Does this new, truly born Again Christian continue to sit in the court room and allow his defense attorney to continue defending all of  those previous lies before the judge and witnesses in the following days and weeks?  Or, at some time does he gather up his new courage in Christ Jesus, stand to his feet and announce to the judge and witnesses that he is a new, Born Again Christian and that the trial must now stop because he wishes to plead "guilty as charged" for murder and... face the penalty for his sin.  Using the same reasoning, how about a rapist, a thief, a pedophile, a spouse abuser, a drunk, a drug addict, a forger etc. going through the judicial system?  At some time do they gather up their new courage in Christ Jesus, stand to their feet and announce to the judge and witnesses that they are a new, Born Again Christian and that the trial must now stop because he wishes to plead "guilty as charged"?  What did the thief on the cross do as our example? 

**Some more questions:  How about the businessman, pastor, secretary, brick
     layer, carpenter, school teacher, house wife, door-to-door salesman,
     plumber etc. that is caught in the web of an ongoing "adulterous relationship?"

What constitutes an adulterous relationship?   Is it the act of having sex with someone other than his or her spouse or, is it something else?

When they become a "truly," new, Born Again Christian is their adultery simply going to swept under the bloody blanket of salvation so they can continue their adulterous sexual activities?

  Or, must they stop the activity of sexual adultery?

God in His Word calls any remarriage...that follows a divorce to someone other than the divorced spouse...while the divorced spouse is still living - ADULTERY.  And, God calls it adultery because it is the activity of having sex with someone other than the spouse of "the one flesh relationship that was established when you married and consummated your marriage with your first spouse."  And, it is the activity of having sex with someone other than "the spouse of your original vows" while that spouse is still living.

Just how is this activity of sexual adultery different from all other adulterous activities?

Romans 7:1-4, "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he lives? [2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. [3] So then if, while her husband lives, 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. [4] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."

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While Christ walked on this earth, He spoke to the multitudes, healed many of their sick,
cast out demons, fed the multitude, turned drinking water to wine, raised the dead,
and etc. while introducing all to His ministry.

More important to our Christian walk and life are His answers to the questions
that the multitudes and His disciples asked.
Folks, His answers are important.
Don't simply read His answers, think His answers through!!

QUESTION: Before Christ went to the cross and before the Church was established, why did He say 

"But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. [34] Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth.  I did not come to bring peace but a sword."? [Matthew 10:33-34]

*Isaiah 64:8, "But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay,
and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." 

*Luke 14:33,  "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has
cannot be My disciple."

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It was decision Sunday in Rome!

In counting the cost of discipleship after the Church was established, what did Jesus Christ say to the Church members who, by virtue of their membership in the Churches in Rome and Corinth, said they were His Disciple?  Remember, membership in the church was based on confession of sin, repentance from sin, public confession of their personal faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and then, public baptism by immersion in the local river, mud hole, etc.  One Sunday the following took place in the Church at Rome:

As the Church members in Rome, Italy gathered to hear what their Pastor was going to read, they heard him read the following. Try to put yourself in their situation by imagining going to your own church for worship and...when your Pastor stood to preach he said,

"Members.  I received the following letter from the Apostle Paul and he asked that I read it to you.  I'll begin reading at Romans chapter 7, verse:1 and read through verse:4.  "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he lives? [2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. [3] So then if, while her husband lives, 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. [4] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."

You, like they, are a member of your church by confessing Jesus Christ as your Saviour, which was followed by believer's baptism and church membership:

**Did being a confessed believer in Christ and a baptized member of the Church at Rome change what God said, through the Apostle Paul, that all people who are divorced and remarried while their divorced spouse was living is... adultery?  Did being a confessed believer in Christ and a baptized member of the Church alter that fact?

**Did being a confessed believer in Christ and a baptized member of the Church and confessing before God and the Church that you agree with God that divorce and remarriage... while the divorced spouse is still living is adultery...will that confession and agreement alter the fact that the divorced spouse is still living?"

**Did being a confessed believer in Christ and a baptized member of the Church and confessing before God and the Church that you agree with God that divorce and remarriage... while the divorced spouse is still living is adultery...will that confession and agreement alter the fact that the marriage is still an adulterous marriage?"

**Even though they were a confessed believer in Christ and a baptized member of the Church, if the divorced spouse is still living after confessing before God and the Church that you agree with God that a divorced person is not to remarry while their divorced spouse is still... living ...what does the Word of God call that marriage?  The correct answer is Romans 7:3, " So then if, while her husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress."

It was decision Sunday in the Church at Rome and the altar call to them and to us is:

**Are Christians supposed to remain in adultery?  Read Romans chapter 6.  Contextually, it would appear that God was preparing those Church members at Rome for some very hard decision making because chapter 6 is before chapter 7.  Students, because chapter 6... is before ...chapter 7 by overlooking this simple little fact, many Christians, Pastors and Christian leaders have made huge ERRORS in their theology and in their lives.  Notice that Chapter 6 begins with verses:1-2,  "What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

Chapter 7 is but a continuation of chapter 6 which is a continuation of the opening warnings found in Romans 1:18, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" and Romans 1:29-32, "being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, [30] backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; [32]  who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."

At the top of this page are the reasons given by people just like you and me for their remarriages...against the counsel of their parents, friends, Pastors and the Word of God.  I'm not being harsh or judgmental when I say to you that these reasons are examples of people "who hold the truth in unrighteousness" and are "disobedient to parents, etc." and "who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."

You know that what I have said on this page is the truth because I've copied the Word of God within the text and context..  The choice is the same for this sin as any other sin and the local Church responsibility is the same concerning this sin as any other sin.  As a father, Pastor, Christian and friend it is my responsibility to tell people to stop their sin, what ever that sin is.  The responsibility is theirs and theirs alone to obey or disobey.  If they make the wrong choice, as a father, Pastor, Christian and friend it is my stewardship ...in obedience to Christ... to take what ever steps are necessary to discipline that brother or sister in Christ and / or distance myself from that brother or sister in the Lord 1 Corinthians 5:11, " But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."  My obedience is mine and mine alone.  My obedience is not dependent upon an executive committee, a family council, an Elders and Deacons meeting, the decision of a denomination or association of Pastors.  You and I will stand... all alone ...before our Lord and Saviour when we give our personal account.

Our obedience and stewardship is not, I repeat... is not ...a popularity contest!

**Are adulterous people supposed to remain in the Church membership?  Read 1 Corinthians 5:6-13.

**Does the New Testament Church have an Old Testament example for a solution?  Yes!!  Read Ezra chapter 10, all of it.   Please Note:  Ezra is Old Testament and is the harshness of the law.  Under grace, God extends some mercy to us that was not always extended to the Old Testament saints.  Remaining in an adulterous marriage is not a part of the New Testament grace -- package.

It's the high cost of repentance (turning away from sin) that is demanded by discipleship!!  Ministry, strength, courage, life's provisions and Christian creativity is... a part of our New Testament grace package!  Read 2 Corinthians 2:2-4; Philippians 4:13 & 19

Church member.  You and I heard what the Apostle Paul wrote.
The cost of discipleship and the Christian life is high.

What is our decision?

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One Sunday in the Church in Corinth, Greece...it was decision Sunday!

As the Church members in Corinth, gathered to hear what their Pastor was going to read, they heard him read the following.  Try to put yourself in their situation by imagining going to your own church for worship and...when your Pastor stood to preach he said, "members and friends of our Church family, I received the following letter from the Apostle Paul and he asked that I read it to you.  The Apostle Paul wrote the following:

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10]  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6: 9, 10)

The Apostle Paul also wrote the following:

"The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord."  (1 Corinthians  7:39)

Could their Pastor's personal message to his congregation and visitors have been similar to the following?

Dear members and friends.  I confess to you that Paul's strong warning to each one of us, "be not deceived," really caught my attention!  Before coming here today, I read this letter from Paul in my home to my wife and family and I couldn't help but wonder, "Is it possible that when I deliver this letter to our Church family and friends on Sunday that there could be someone in the hearing of these words that,

*because they made a public confession for Christ as Saviour on our Church
*and... because they were publicly baptized as a believer
*and... because they are a member of this church in good and regular standing,

some listeners could be deceived concerning their true salvation and relationship in Jesus Christ?

Did they really count the cost of the Christian life before joining our church?  Are they going to demonstrate that they are truly a Born Again Christian by being willing to pay the price expected by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, concerning their Christian life and discipleship walk of obedience concerning this sin of adultery?

It is no different now, in the 21^st. century, than it was when the texts above were penned by the apostle Paul.  When our Lord calls attention to sin in our lives, any and all sin, He expects us to obey by confessing and forsaking that known sin by turning away from and stopping the sin?  To know for sure that we are a truly Born Again Christian, we must be willing to call upon the Lord and trust in His strength to overcome and obey even the most difficult expectations of the Lord?  If we're not willing, are we truly Born Again?  If we're not willing to obey in obedience to the difficult situations, how could we possibly believe that we're willing to die... for our faith in Christ?"

Reader, this isn't works salvation, this is salvation that works.

The Apostle Paul wrote to us under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that no adulterer would ever inherit the Kingdom of God.  He also wrote that no divorced person could marry again as long as his or her divorced spouse is still living.  To disobey this "SIMPLE" command (it is only a difficult command if you have disobeyed it) is to:

*disobey the Creator God and determiner of our eternity and,
*marry into an adulterous marriage.

The church members and friends in Corinth that heard that message were required then to answer the same questions that we must answer today!   Pastors and readers:

And the Word of God clearly says that "no adulterer will ever inherit the kingdom of God," correct?

*Because some preacher, pastor or friend goes against the clear Word of God and tells you that your marriage "is the exception" to God's rule,  do you --- really --- believe that God doesn't mean  that "you - will not inherit the kingdom of God" ?  Do you really believe that some preacher, pastor or friend knows more than God knows?  And that the warning is for everyone else but you, correct?

*Are you willing to risk your personal eternity  on the word of some preacher, pastor or friend   when the Word of God is so --- very, clear?!

It was decision Sunday in that Church in Corinth and the altar call for them and for you and me - is:

**Are Christians supposed to disobey the Word of God by getting married to another spouse while their divorced spouse is still living?

**Isn't that disobedient marriage, adultery? 

**Are Christians supposed to remain in adultery?  Read Romans chapter 6.  Contextually, it would appear that God was preparing those Church members at Rome for some very hard decision making because chapter 6 is before chapter 7.  Students, because chapter 6... is before ...chapter 7 by overlooking this simple little fact, many Christians, Pastors and Christian leaders have made huge ERRORS in their theology and in their lives.  Notice that Chapter 6 begins with verses:1-2,  "What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

Chapter 7 is but a continuation of chapter 6 which is a continuation of the opening warnings found in Romans 1:18, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" and Romans 1:29-32, "being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, [30] backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; [32]  who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."

At the top of this page are the reasons given by people just like you and me for their remarriages...against the counsel of their parents, friends, Pastors and the Word of God.  I'm not being harsh or judgmental when I say to you that these reasons are examples of people "who hold the truth in unrighteousness" and are "disobedient to parents, etc." and "who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."

You know that what I have said on this page is the truth because I've copied the Word of God within the text and context..  The choice is the same for this sin as any other sin and the local Church responsibility is the same concerning this sin as any other sin.  As a father, Pastor, Christian and friend it is my responsibility to tell people to stop their sin, what ever that sin is.  The responsibility is theirs and theirs alone to obey or disobey.  If they make the wrong choice, as a father, Pastor, Christian and friend it is my stewardship ...in obedience to Christ... to take what ever steps are necessary to discipline that brother or sister in Christ and / or distance myself from that brother or sister in the Lord 1 Corinthians 5:11, " But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."  My obedience is mine and mine alone.  My obedience is not dependent upon an executive committee, a family council, an Elders and Deacons meeting, the decision of a denomination or association of Pastors.  You and I will stand... all alone ...before our Lord and Saviour when we give our personal account.

Our obedience and stewardship is not a
 POPULARITY CONTEST
NOR
IS IT DECIDED BY A COMMITTEE!

**Are adulterous people supposed to remain in the Church membership?  
    Read 1 Corinthians 5:6-13.

**Does the New Testament Church have an Old Testament example for a solution?

Yes!!  Read Ezra chapter 10, all of it.   Please Note:  Ezra is Old Testament and is the harshness of the law.  Under grace, God extends some mercy to us that was not always extended to the Old Testament saints.  Remaining in an adulterous marriage is not a part of the New Testament grace ... package.  It's the high cost of repentance (turning away from) demanded of our discipleship!!   Ministry, strength, courage, life's provisions and Christian creativity - "is" - a part of our New Testament grace package!  Read 2 Corinthians 2:2-4; Philippians 4:13 & 19.

Church member.  You and I heard what the Apostle Paul wrote.
The cost of discipleship and the Christian life is high.

What is our decision?

_____________________________________________________

QUESTION:
What price are you and I willing to pay for our
Christian discipleship and life of obedience?

There is no such thing as easy believism,
painless repentance including ... it's easier to get forgiveness than permission
and
 Low to no spiritual investment with expected high returns.

  It's the high cost of  our discipleship!!

What is our decision?

This is my personal Mailbox for Email.
How can I encourage you?

_____________________________________________________

"Subtle ERRORS causing confusion ... Continued"

2 - B
"THE UNREPENTANT AND IMMORAL SPOUSE,"

A DEEPLY BURIED FAULT LINE!

Some are teaching that remarriage while the divorced spouse is still living is justified because of an "UNREPENTANT and ADULTEROUS SPOUSE":

Over the past 30 to 40 years some very influential Pastors and Christian radio ministers have been quoting,

Matthew 19:9, " 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."  [KJV]

Matthew 19:9, " And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." [NKJV]

Please notice that the above King James Version and the New King James Version say virtually the same thing.  Now notice the texts that those who support remarriage, use. 

Matthew 19:9, "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery," [and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery ... is missing in this version]  [NASV]

Matthew 19:9, "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."  [Again, and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery ... is missing in this version] [NIV]

Please explain what happened to "and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery" in the New American Standard Version of the Word of God?   Question:  Why do these folks use translations without making any references to the the textual notes for the variant translations that are found in those translations? 

Now, compare Matthew 19:9 with all of the following verses.  I am going to say something that really isn't very profound but, yet -- it is very profound.  Matthew 5:32 is written before Matthew 19:9 isn't it?  Matthew chapters 5 through chapter 8 is Christ's "Sermon on the Mount."  Jesus is publicly teaching the multitudes and explaining the "life style" and "cost of discipleship."  Why does Matthew 19:9 say something completely different than Matthew 5:32?  AND -- Why does today's Church use only Matthew 19:9?

Did Jesus make a mistake earlier when He gave His "Sermon on the Mount" as recorded in Matthew 5:32?  And, because He made such a verbal blunder He decided to correct His warning to all mankind in Matthew chapter 9 and verse: 19?  This isn't an unfair question, is it?  And -- if it supposed that He did make a verbal blunder, why didn't He correct all of the following verses?

Isn't it a logical and very Important Question to ask that if Matthew 19:9 is correct...why does this single verse disagree with all of the verses that are recorded in the New Testament that (1) directly quote Jesus Christ while teaching the doctrine of  marriage  and (2)...disagree with all of the verses He taught through the Apostle Paul?

Read them for yourself.  I've printed everyone one of them below.

Matthew 5:32,
"but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."   Matthew is writing to a Jewish community and is quoting Jesus Christ. Remember the law?  The law commanded that adulterers were to be stoned, Deuteronomy 22:22-24, and not divorced.  There is something going on here that the Lord did not fully explain to us.

This we do know, Jesus said if a man divorced his wife for any reason other than adultery (i.e. she burned his coffee), he is causing his wife to commit adultery. AND even though she was not guilty of the sin of adultery (i.e. she burned his coffee) when her husband divorced her, she will be an adulterer when she remarries.

Mark 10:11-12,
 "So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. [12] And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."  Mark is quoting Jesus Christ and is addressing the Gentile perspective of divorce and remarriage.  Jesus said that whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her, his new wife.  If we believe that this man is the innocent party, why is his remarriage adultery?  That this is a Gentile perspective is evident in VERSE 12, "And if a woman shall divorce her husband, and be married to another, she committs adultery."  In the Jewish society the wife was considered property. As property she had no right to divorce her husband.  In the Gentile society, a wife divorcing her husband was acceptable. If we believe this woman is the innocent party, why is her remarriage adultery?

Luke 16:18,
 "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery."  Luke is writing to a Greek community and he is quoting our Saviour, Jesus Christ when he writes that the man who divorces his wife and remarries is committing adultery.  Can we assume from the text that the wife whom he divorced is guilty of unrepentant sexual immorality because it is stated that whoever marries her is committing adultery?  If we can assume that he is the innocent party, isn't it amazing that this innocent party is guilty of adultery and, his wife, guilty or otherwise (she burned her husband's coffee), is also guilty of adultery when she remarries?!  Both are guilty of adultery.  Why is this?

Romans 7:2-3,
"For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. [3] So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man."

1 Corinthians 7:39,
"A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord."

One of the very first principles of hermeneutics [which is the study of how to interpret the Scriptures] that I was taught in Christian College and Seminary is the rule of  "context, context and context" or, "the verse within the text, which is found within the context, which is found within the greater text, the whole of the Word of God."  This universal principle simply means: First, never interpret the meaning of a singular cloudy and obscure verse, so that it disagrees with the meaning of the total text, which is the complete Bible.  Second, never interpret a single verse of Scripture [alone] without considering the immediate text, which are the verses and chapter where that verse is contained.  And third, never interpret a chapter without considering the meaning and flow of the chapters before and after, in which that chapter is written.  Using accepted, sound rules of hermeneutics as the standard, Matthew 19:9 differs from all other verses and can not possibly be considered as the standard by which to judge all other verses in the Word of God so as to determine a doctrine.

Any man who has studied at any Fundamental Christian College or Seminary knows it is a violation of the rules of interpretation and just plain common sense to use a single cloudy or obscure verse of Scripture as the standard by which to interpret the many clear and transparent verses of Scripture.  It's this violation of common sense that creates erroneous doctrinal and polity errors which destroys lives, families and ministries and encourages the cults to thrive.

As well, Matthew 19:9 follows Matthew 19:8 -- doesn't it?  Matthew 19:8, "He said unto them, Moses -- allowed you to put away your wives -- because of the hardness of your hearts:  but from the beginning it was not so." I don't want to take anything away from Moses but -- I certainly am not going to allow Moses to become God, either!  Remember Moses who, in a fit of rage, killed the Egyptian and fled to the desert for 40 years, Exodus chapter 2?  And Moses, the leader who -- in anger -- broke the stone tablets that our Creator God had written on, Exodus chapter 32?  Do you also recall that Mosses the leader wasn't allowed to enter into the promised land because of his sinful temper, Numbers chapter 20?  Jesus Christ made it very clear in Matthew 19:8 that Moses -- and -- Moses alone .............. allowed divorce.  And that Moses didn't have God's .............. permission!  Moses made the decision and allowed divorce without portfolio (without consultation and permission)!!  From a very human and practical point of questioning, why is today's Church so very willing to follow the sinful example set by Moses?

It is very evident from all of the verses found in the New Testament that Matthew 19:9 is a one-and-only cloudy verse and it stands all alone.  Why will Bible scholars who normally will not even consider using a verse with a cloudy and obscure meaning suddenly...violate that principle of sound interpretation and hermeneutics...and build a totally erroneous doctrine.

Risking being accused of being redundant I really am compelled to ask once again:

1- Why do these folks use translations without making any references to the the textual notes  
     for the variant translations that are found in those translations? 

2- Why will Bible scholars who normally will not even consider using a verse with a cloudy and 
     obscure meaning  suddenly...violate that principle of sound interpretation and 
     hermeneutics...and build a totally erroneous doctrine to the exclusion of the greater volume of 
     Biblical texts and in defiance 2,000 years of Church history?

Are our Pastors and Christian leaders doing this for one of the following, deeply buried, spiritual fault lines?

**A number of years ago a Pastor in a neighboring city thought it would be very helpful if my wife and I became members of his ministry and gave him a helping hand.  Before joining his ministry I gave him my "Philosophy of Ministry" manuscript that gives great detail about our convictions concerning divorce and divorce / remarriage.  After several months of helping the ministry by teaching a singles and married couples class, one of the deacons called and asked to meet with me at a restaurant that was convenient to both of us so we could talk.  He started the conversation by telling me that he was divorced and remarried and "he was very sure that my wife and I were not aware of his situation."  He also wanted us to know that at the next annual business meeting, of the five men to be considered for the "Office of Deacon," three were divorced men whose divorced wives were still living and that two of those men would certainly be elected.  The majority of the Deacon's Board would... then be ...divorced and remarried men whose divorced wives were still living.

When I confronted their Pastor, this is what I was told:
"Brother.  When I graduated from Seminary I didn't believe in divorce and remarriage while a divorced spouse was still alive.  In my very first ministry I was confronted with the issue and I had to make a decision.   Because I believed that the Lord had called me to preach and ... because I had a family to feed, I made the decision to preach and feed my family". 

Over the past 35 years, many Pastors have said "to me" ... the following:

**"Brother, if I preached Romans 7:2-4, "For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. [3] So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. [4] Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God." And 1 Corinthians 7:39, "A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord,"  as a hard and fast interpretation, I wouldn't have a church left."

**"When I graduated from Seminary I didn't agree with divorce and remarriage while a divorced spouse was still alive..."but"  the Church that called me had those folks as members."

**"When I graduated from Seminary I didn't agree with divorce and remarriage while a divorced spouse was still alive..."but" all of the other men in my area [conference, denomination, association etc.] are doing it."

**"When I graduated from Seminary I didn't agree with divorce/remarriage while a divorced spouse was still alive..."but" the members of my congregation told me over and over again that Dr. Herb Vanderlugt, Radio Bible Class, Dr. Charles Swindoll and Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family all teach that God's mercy and grace covers this."

**A young, struggling Pastor said... "I'm just parroting what the others are saying."

**An Associate Pastor of Christian Education of a large fundamental Baptist Church in Colorado made the following statement to my wife and I after asking me for a concise statement, summing up divorce and remarriage:  "Brother, wouldn't it be nice if we could base our "policies" on the Word of God rather than "convenience?"  Incredibly, realizing and acknowledging this sin, he remained as the Associate Pastor of Christian Education.

*A pastor from Wisconsin wrote, "Brother, I preached the Word of God concerning the permanence and sanctity of marriage.  From the Word of God I explained to my members that the vows "until death do us part" spoken at their weddings when they were married can not be dissolved until death.  I read and preached to them that the "one flesh relationship" created by God in marriage can not be dissolved until the death of a spouse.  Later that week I was called before our denominational regional directors and told that if I didn't reconsider my position concerning this controversial subject ... they would consider the revocation of my "Ordination Certificate" as a Minister of the Word of God and my "Preacher's License".

Please note:  The following reason: "I made the decision to preach and feed my family" is -- BY FAR --.the most used excuse that I have heard from pastors, violating the clear Word of God.

QUESTION:  Are any of the above reasons given to me by pastors, BIBLICAL REASONS?

Is it possible that one of these ministers may have been your very own pastor or the minister who officiated at your wedding.  Tell me, shouldn't all of the listed reasons given for violating their original convictions be considered  as "very serious, deeply buried spiritual fault lines" on which you and others have built their earthly and eternal futures upon?

Tell everyone you know, every place you go that
God's plan for marriage is the one-and-only plan
that He will approve of!!

One man and one woman
for
one lifetime!!

The death of a spouse is His only exception!!

What is our decision?

 

This is my personal Mailbox for Email.

How can I encourage you?

_____________________________________________________________

 

"Subtle ERRORS causing confusion ... Continued"

2 - C
"THE DESERTION OF AN UNSAVED SPOUSE"

A DEEPLY BURIED SPIRITUAL FAULT LINE!

Some are teaching that remarriage while the divorced spouse is still living is justified because of "The DESERTION of an UNBELIEVER" and they quote 1 Corinthians 7:15, " But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.  But God has called us to peace."

Please remember the universal principle of how to correctly interpret the Word of God by using the simple "context, context and context" rule or, "the verse within the text, which is found within the context, which is found within the greater text, which is the whole of the Word of God."  First, look at the "key" words within the verse itself.  In this verse the key words are "unbeliever"; ... "let him depart"; ... "believers not under bondage" ...and, "peace".   The truth of this verse is that marriage, the home and the family isn't to be turned into a "war zone" by an unbeliever or, anyone else.

The Believers in the churches located in Corinth, Rome and in all other cities and villages as well were,  for the most part, recent converts to Christ and Christianity.  As ... new converts, many of them now had husbands or wives that were not saved.  These new "Christians" hadn't previously married into an "unequally yoked marriage" but rather -- because of their new Faith in Christ Jesus -- their existing marriage coupled with their new faith in Jesus Christ, created an "unequally yoked marriage." Their unsaved spouses were still practicing heathens or still believers in Judaism and didn't want anything to do with Christ and their spouse's new faith walk. 

If this verse had no context and stood all by itself, the meaning will remain:

Today, many Born Again Christians deliberately violate the Word of God by dating and marrying the unsaved.  They deliberately date and marry a mission field against the counsel of their parents, family, friends, Pastor and the Word of God.  If that is the case then the old adage, "Son or Daughter, you made your bed and now you can sleep  in it," is your lot in life. You deserve it!  You wanted a mission field now be faithful to your mission.  Other missionaries across the globe are!

If your unbelieving spouse wants to divorce because of your faith in Christ and...because of your Christian life, let them get the divorce.  Not you!  In fact, it would be wise to say something like, "Honey, if you really want a divorce, you'll have to initiate it.  I do not want a divorce because I love the Lord and I love you. If you insist,  I love you enough to help you pack.  Is there some place you would like me to bring you?  or, is there someone you want me to call for you?"  Why can I say this?  I say this because of the context of the whole passage.  Read verses:13-14:

1 Corinthians 7:13-14, " And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. [14] For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy."

The  verses immediately before  verse 15  demonstrates God's concern is for the salvation of the unsaved spouse, and the Holiness and welfare of the children.  AND, the verse  immediately following verse 15 again demonstrates God's concern is for the salvation of the unsaved spouse:

1 Corinthians 7:16, "For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?"

Important note: this verse is very important to the contextual understanding of "let them leave...you are not bound..." verse 15 instructs believers to "peacefully let the husband / wife leave and pursue and live peacefully. Verse 16 is the "why should I "peacefully let the husband / wife leave and pursue and live peacefully?" you may be setting the example of Christ-likeness that is necessary to - now notice this because this is the key - save your husband / save your wife. The natural progression for verse 16 is to assume that the unbelieving spouse is gone (verse 15), i.e. Separated or divorced yet your lord and mine instructs us that the separated or divorced, un-believing husband / wife remain our husband / wife even though --- they are gone by separation or divorce!

This is supported by:
Malachi 2:14, (God said) '"Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously (divorced is the meaning, added); Yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant.'"

This understanding is shored up by the following verses:

Wives: 1 Peter 3:1, " Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct [Godly lifestyle...added] of their wives."

Husbands and wives: Hebrews 12:14-15, " Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  [15] looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;"

On the other hand, if your mission field / spouse is "criminally...mentally and / or physically abusive" of you or your children (this isn't the excuse, "I don't love him any more" etc.), God has given Romans 13:1-4 to you and me:

Romans 13:1-4, " Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2]  Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. [3]  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil."

If your sanity and safety is in jeopardy because your spouse is threatening and carrying out harmful and violent activities, call the police and have that spouse legally removed from the home.  Get a legal restraining order or an order for separate maintenance from the judge.  These actions taken by a Christian are not against the Word of God but getting a divorce for these reasons certainly are.

Remember: A divorce is only for the reason of "unrepentant, sexual immorality."  Not for any other reason.  Period.

Finally, consider the whole context of 1 Corinthians chapter 7. (Whole context meaning the entire chapter)

Chapter 7 begins with:

1 Corinthians 7:1-2, "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. [2] Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband."

Primary reason for this verse:

For the singles, widows and widowers, if they are inclined and driven to sexual activity, don't sexually violate another person, get married.  1 Corinthians 7:8-9, "I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. [9] But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." 

Secondary reason for this verse:

For the married man and woman, you are one flesh with your own wife or husband.  Don't enter into an adulterous relationship by having sex with someone other than the spouse of your original vows.

Chapter 7 closes with:

Corinthians 7:39, "A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord."

Bound in this verse is the Greek word deo, (the word found is used by all of the major translations)

Greek deo / bound, Greek 1210, Strong's Concordance & Dictionary
deo, deh'-o; a primary verb; to bind (in various applications, literal or figurative) :- bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind. See also Greek 1163 (dei), Greek 1189 (deomai).

as in bind / nit into "one flesh" until death do us part and note that the verse doesn't say... bound as long as her husband stays.
No, our Lord instructs us... bound as long as her husband lives! There is no exclusion clause added or suggested within this text and context.

Primary reason for verse:39

Don't even think about getting married until your spouse dies.

Secondary reason for verse:39

After your spouse dies, you can remarry with only one restriction, "you must marry a born again Christian".

CONCLUSION of "The DESERTION of an UNBELIEVER"

Contextually, 1 Corinthians 7:15, " But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.  But God has called us to peace," can not possibly be an escape clause for the divorced who's unbelieving divorced spouses are still living.

CONCLUSION to the reasons that have caused confusion over the past  30 to 40 years:

(1) It is never acceptable to remarry when the divorced spouse is still living.

(2) There are no NEW TESTAMENT exclusions allowing remarriage when a divorced 
      spouse is still living!

*Salvation followed the divorce and remarriage IS NOT a New Testament exclusion!

*The divorce happened because of an immoral and unrepentant partner IS NOT a New Testament exclusion!!

*The unbeliever deserted the marriage IS NOT a New Testament exclusion!! 

(3) Remarriage following a divorce while the divorced spouse is living is always...adultery.

Church member.  You and I heard what the Apostle Paul wrote.
The cost of discipleship and the Christian life is high.

What is our decision?

_________________________________________________________________

QUESTION:
What price are you and I willing to pay for our
Christian discipleship and life of obedience?

There is no such thing as easy believism,
painless repentance including ... it's easier to get forgiveness than permission
and
 Low to no spiritual investment with expected high returns.

  It's the high cost of  our discipleship!!

What is our decision?

This is my personal Mailbox for Email.
How can I encourage you?

_______________________________________________________________

there are FOUR (4)  MAJOR OVERLOOKED ISSUES

3 - A

The Word of God concerning
"the"...
"REMARRIAGE"
following a divorce

NO Spiritual fault lines!

The #1, OVERLOOKED ISSUE:  (A) The Word of God:

*God is very clear about divorce:

Malachi 2:16, "I hate divorce."  God does not hate the person because He, God... is a divorced man.  See Jeremiah 3:8.

*God never intended for people to divorce.

Matthew 19:8, "He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so."

Hebrews 12:14-15, "Follow peace (not divorce) with all men (this includes your spouse), and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: [15] Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."

*Jesus Christ taught that divorce is only for open and unrepentant sexual immorality.

Matthew 5:32, "but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

*If a divorced couple should desire to reconcile and remarry, having never married
  another, after their divorce, that would be the Lord's expressed desire.

1 Corinthians 7:11, "But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife."

*Should a spouse die, the living person is free to remarry.

Romans 7:3,  "So then if, while her husband lives, 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."

1 Corinthians 7:39,  "The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord."

*If either has married someone else while separated from their original spouse, even 
  though they desire to remarry each other, they may not.

Deuteronomy 24:4, "Then her former husband who divorced her must not take her back to be his wife after she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance."

Jeremiah 3:1a, "They say, if a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again?  Shall not that land be greatly polluted?"

*Whenever marriage to another person occurs while a divorced spouse is still alive, the
  Word of God calls it adultery.

Romans 7:1-4, "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he lives? [2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. [3] So then if, while her husband lives, 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. [4] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."

Mark 10:7-12, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, [8] and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. [9] Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." [10] In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. [11] So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. [12] And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

Luke 16:18, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery."

Note:  Be sure to pay close attention to the following verse folks.   It isn't an "escape clause" BUT it is a "cause and effect" clause.  Christ sounds a clear warning    coupled  with condemnation, guilt and fault.

Matthew 5:32, "but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

It should be obvious from the number of verses found in the Word of God that the issue that has God's condemnation is the remarriage that follows a divorce, while the divorced spouse is still living.  

The only time that the "divorce" is an issue is when there is a divorce for some other reason than unrepentant, sexual immorality i.e. "I knew that I didn't love my spouse when we got married;"  Or, "My spouse was a lazy drunk;"  Or, "My spouse was abusive;"  Or, "Irreconcilable  differences (how can truly Born again Christians ever say this?  Impossible!);"  Etc.  None of these reasons for divorce are Biblical reasons and none of these reasons have God's blessings.  As with any and all other sins, it must be confessed and repented of.

Psalm 119:11
"Your Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against You."

Psalm 119:89
"For ever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in Heaven."

Psalm 119:102
"I have not departed from Your judgments: for You have taught me."

John 17:17
"Sanctify them through Your truth: Your Word is truth."

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3 - B, C and D

IRREVOCABLE LAW OF ONE FLESH   
A clearly visible spiritual fault line!

"Confession" is not "repentance" and "divorce" is not "death"

The #2, OVERLOOKED ISSUE:  (B) The "One flesh relationship" issue.

Genesis 2:24, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Matthew 19:5-6, "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? [6] So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate'."

Mark 10:8, "and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh."

Ephesians 5:31, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."

Romans 7:3 and 1 Corinthians 7:39 both conclude that only death dissolves the one flesh issue of marriage.  Therefore, the one flesh issue doesn't dissolve simply because of a "writ of divorcement."

Romans 7:3, "So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man."

Please note: Our Lord, using Paul as His secretary / writer didn't call her first husband her "ex-husband" or "divorced" husband.  He is called her husband.  Some may want to down play or even dismiss this fact.  The Author, Jesus Christ, didn't down play or dismiss it. 

1 Corinthians 7:39, "A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord."

Again, please take note:  This is New Testament Scripture and not the Old Testament.  I hear all the time that we're not under the law.  Both Romans 7:3 and 1 Corinthians 7:39 are New Testament Scriptures having been written after our Lord's ascension into Heaven and to the New Testament Churches.  Each refers to a binding "law".  Matthew 5:18 isn't Old Testament either and yet our Lord said "that not one jot nor tittle will pass (away) from the law until it is totally fulfilled."  What law is invoked here?  The law of one flesh that was established in Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:6-8.  There is another New Testament law that is also involved here,1 John 2:4, "'The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.'"  Jesus Christ is the Creator God, the only Author and Architect of all Scripture, Old Testament and New Testament.  Be very careful of picking and choosing Scripture based upon "that's Old Testament" or "that's New Testament." 

Jesus Christ answered the question of divorce with:

Matthew 19:6, 8 "And He answered and said unto them, 'Wherefore they are no more two, but one flesh.  What therefore God has  joined together, let not man put asunder.'" [8] "He said unto them, 'Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts suffered  [means to permit...  added] you to put away your wives: but from the beginning of creation...[I added] it was not so.'" 

IMPORTANT NOTE: I had a pastor tell me that God / Jesus Christ gave Moses permission and / or approval to grant divorce therefore, divorce and remarriage was permissible.  For your Spiritual safety and eternality, I'm going on record to say to you that the above verses, Matthew 19:6 and 8  do not even come close to even suggest that Christ was in agreement in the slightest way with Moses decision!  One more time and for the record:

"Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts suffered / permitted you..."  

And, God / Jesus Christ hates divorce
    Malachi 2:16 
    "For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce,
       For it covers one's garment with violence," Says the Lord
       of hosts.  "Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do
       not deal treacherously."
And, the disciples understood exactly what my Saviour and your Creator God meant!  Listen to their ... words [in four Bible versions] as they counted the personal cost of marriage:

Matthew 19:10, "His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry."  [KJV] 

Matthew 19:10, "His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry."  [NKJV]

Matthew 19:10, "The disciples said to Him, "If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry."  [NASV]

Matthew 19:10,  "Jesus' disciples then said to him, 'If that is how it is, it is better not to marry!'"  [The Living Translation]

Matthew 19:10, "The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."  [NIV]

Was remarriage a controversial subject to the disciples?  No!  Not at all!!!  It wasn't controversial then and, the Word of God isn't controversial now!!!  They understood that if they married and their marriage didn't work out and a divorce took place, they could never marry again.  Certainly, not until the death of their divorced spouse.  And, ladies and men, don't forget that they were men and they also -- had needs.  Because we have never -- up close and personally -- met the Disciples, it's easy to forget that they were just as human as you and me.

The Disciples understood what Christ said and...Pastors know that adultery is a physical act:

1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." [KJV]

What is the meaning of fornication?  The Greek word is porneia on which our English words porno and pornography are derived.  Fornication includes adultery, incest and fornication.

1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body."  [KJV]

1 Corinthians 6:18,  "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body."  [NASV]

1 Corinthians 6:18,  "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he  who sins sexually sins against his own body."  [NIV]

1 Corinthians 6:18,  "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body."  [NKJV]

1 Corinthians 6:18,  "Shun fornication!  Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself."  [NRSV]

1 Corinthians 6:18,  "That is why I say to run from sex sin.  No other sin affects the body as this one does.  When you sin this sin it is against your own body."  [Living Word]

Why can I say so emphatically that Pastors know that adultery is a physical act?!

When it comes to the attention of the Pastor that a member of his congregation is having an adulterous affair, what does that  Pastor and his Board do?  They contact that member and tell them to stop the affair or else _______________ .  What exactly...is that adulterous member to stop doing?  Stop having "sex" with someone.  Immorality, fornication and adultery are all "sexual sins that happen to-and-in, the body."  Some examples, a business man having sex with his secretary; a salesman having sex with another woman; a Pastor having sex with the organist; a teacher having sex with a student, etc.  It is adultery, fornication and immorality because they are engaged in the "activity of sex with each other's bodies."  That act of sex... is ...adultery.  Pastors, board members, husbands, wives, children and all thinking adults of the congregation insist that sexual adultery must be stopped because it is called A D U L T E R Y,  Correct?  And, we can not have adulterers in the Church membership.

God's letter to the Church Members in Rome informed all of the divorced and remarried members who had a living divorced spouse that they were adulterers, living in adultery, Romans 7:2-3, "For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.[3] So then if, while her husband lives, 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." 

 Isn't a "Church Member" an individual that has: 
          **1) publicly confessed Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour;
        **2) been publicly baptized as a "Born Again" believer;
        **3) been welcomed into the fellowship / membership?
Adultery is sin, correct?
I have been told over and over again that God's grace covers this sin because 1 Corinthians 6:11 declares that the these folks are ".... washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God".  If this is what you have been told and you believe this is the truth, you need to revisit this Scripture within it's context  (1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 and 1 Corinthians 7:39) because the letters to the Corinthians were letters that were written to the members of Churches / Church Family Members.  Even though 1^st and 2^nd Corinthians were written to Born Again, baptized Believer's who were then welcomed into the fellowship, they were told that certain "lifestyle" sinners were not going to inherit the Kingdom of God, 

Many declare that the divorced and remarried members of the Church in Rome and in the membership of your assembly who are living in divorce & remarried adultery, were forgiven of their sin and can remain in that sinful relationship because 1 Corinthians 6:11 teaches that they were washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.  One verse taken out of context within this very text of verses even though it follows two verses that strongly teach the contrary.  QUESTION: If adulterers are in the same list of folks found in verses 9 and 10 that include nine other lifestyle sinners that must stop their sinfulness -- does it really seem logical that these are the only lifestyle sinners that do not have to stop committing and living in their sin?  

Folks, this isn't a new problem.  Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, used the Apostle Paul to confront this very issue 2,000 years ago.  Paul was lead of the Lord to write the following warning to the same Churches in Corinth in 56 AD concerning the unrepentant, "Church member" adulterers:      

Because confession is not repentance and divorce is not death, please read the following: