Marriage Repair

Some clergymen prefer to silence our biblical understanding of marriage and divorce. They say sinful marriages might be divorced en masse and societal chaos might ensue. They say it will not sit well with God, who is a God of peace and order.

We beg to disagree. No peace and order will be disturbed since there is no such thing as peace and order in sinful living.

Assuming that peace and order would be disturbed, God will no doubt approve of it to save souls (Matthew 10:34). It grieves Him when a couple and their children are welded together by sinfulness, for it is only a matter of time before the Second Death swallows them. Divine love finds no pleasure in the death of anyone (Ezekiel 18:23, 32 and 1 Timothy 2:3) but rejoices when a sinner is raised from the dead (Luke 15:1-32).

Broadcasting our biblical understanding might lead to the repair of marriages that started on the wrong foot. It might save souls. But keeping mum will save no soul; it is losing the battle by default.

HOW TO REPAIR A SINFUL MARRIAGE? AND THAT WHICH GOD HAS PUT TOGETHER BUT GONE AWRY?

Let the couple do spiritual detoxification and submit to water-baptism. Let them secure God’s imprimatur of the union, and after confirmation is begotten, dedicate the union and pray for His blessing. Let them discipline themselves in love and faithfulness, and stay bonded for life.  

What if only one spouse is willing to do it? Should the marriage be discontinued and the other spouse divorced?

¹² If any brother has a wife who is not a believer [but who] is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. ¹³ And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer [but who] is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his [believing] wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. ¹⁵ But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. The believer is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace…¹⁷ Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. 1 CORINTHIANS 7

Divine Hand in Marriage

Many people (even among the clergy) doubt that God takes a direct hand in joining man and woman in marriage. Yet Matthew 19:6 says, “God put marriages together.”

Are there biblical instances to validate the existence of such marriages? Yes, there are. God gave Eve to Adam and made them one (Genesis 2:22). God gave Gomer to Prophet Hosea and made them one (Hosea 1:2). God through an angel told Joseph, “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife” (Matthew 1:20).