Kingdom standards are high standards; guard your marriage

Rev Enoch Thompson | FEBRUARY 5, 2023 | MATTHEW 5:31-32

KEY VERSE:

(But) I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, . . . Matthew 5:32 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The statistics of divorce rates globally are alarming. This is not only true of society in general but particularly of the Church. Church leaders are worried about the trend, and wish it were not so. Certainly, the directives in the text were for disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. It must be understood that Kingdom rules are not to be used to measure the behaviour and conduct of non-Kingdom citizens. Paul says

“⁹I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— ¹⁰ not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case, you would have to leave this world.” (1 Cor 5:9-11) NIV.

The teaching to preserve marriage and to avoid divorce is given in the context of the prevailing practice by which Jewish men divorced their wives so freely, for as frivolous a reason as burning the food (or in Africa, having too much pepper in the soup!), and the demands of higher standards of Kingdom living. It does not mean that God is happy with non-Christian divorce. God hates divorce. His intent is that marriage will last till death.

God allows divorce, however. In our text, we discover a clause by which God allows for marriage to be dissolved, marital unfaithfulness. What about abandonment (1 Cor. 7:15), or violence (Mal. 2:16)?

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Are you married or thinking of getting married as a Christian? Marriage must be taken very seriously and must be entered into with a commitment to honour God and honour one’s spouse, with a determination that as long as it depends on you that relationship shall last until you are separated by death. Set your heart right and guard your marriage.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the institution of marriage. Please help me to approach marriage from a Kingdom mindset. Please grant your people the grace to handle the challenges that come with marriage, which makes many see divorce as the easy way out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!