And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. – 2 Corinthians 5:19b, NIV Reconciled to Friendship, NOT Marriage! What often bothers me about Christians talking about marriages ravaged by adultery is how “reconciliation” is thrown about as the same thing as marriage restoration. It is not. A former couple could experience true reconciliation … Continue reading “Reconciled to Friendship, NOT Marriage”
Category: Reconciliation
Dear DM, How would you have responded?
Hey DM, I am interested in what you will say to Christian friends that they are praying for you and the ex to remarry. Said “friend” knows we are divorced but states God can work on ex and then “family” can be back together. Now this is all stated under their guise of caring for … Continue reading “Dear DM, How would you have responded?”
No Issues With Never Being Married To Her Again.
Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. -Numbers 14:30, NIV While I hope my ex-wife finds repentance one day, I have moved on with my life. We will never be married again as I am … Continue reading “No Issues With Never Being Married To Her Again.”
The “Model Divorced”
“Yes, we are divorced. But we’re friends. I understand I made mistakes, too, in our marriage.” – “Model” Divorcee If you do get divorced, I sense this is what people–maybe Christians especially–want to hear. They want a nice narrative where they do not have to pick sides. And maybe some divorcees can become friends with each other after the … Continue reading “The “Model Divorced””
Grieve the death
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18, NASB Metaphors, while being imperfect approximations, often can help us grasp difficult and complex truths conveying both intellectual and emotional freight with vivid imagery. Here’s my shot on explaining by metaphor why focusing on forgiveness first after adultery is cruel: Imagine you … Continue reading “Grieve the death”
John Piper Is Okay With Widowed Spouses Remarrying…
“There won’t be marriage and giving in marriage like there are here and now. So, at the principle level, widows and widowers are free to marry in the Lord.” -John Piper answering “Can I Remarry If My Spouse Dies? Should I?” While this probably does not mark a change in Piper’s position regarding remarriage for … Continue reading “John Piper Is Okay With Widowed Spouses Remarrying…”
Question Exchange: Did you try reconciling? Instead…
You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” -Mark 10:19, NKJV QUESTION EXCHANGE Instead of probing the faithful spouse regarding their efforts to reconcile with a cheater, I suggest putting the onus upon the cheater. … Continue reading “Question Exchange: Did you try reconciling? Instead…”
Please give divorcing faithful spouses the benefit of the doubt
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. -Matthew 1:19, NKJV With famous Christian author, Lysa TerKeurst, opening up about divorcing her unfaithful husband, I am struck by how the Christian community demands faithful spouses to explain themselves when … Continue reading “Please give divorcing faithful spouses the benefit of the doubt”
Hardened
But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go. -Exodus 8:32, NIV The reality of one’s powerlessness is one of the most difficult aspects of going through an unwanted divorce. Yet this very real powerlessness can serve as a comfort after the fact! As an introspective person, I find … Continue reading “Hardened”
Reminder: Gospel Witness and Divorce
So this was the plan they followed. Ezra selected leaders to represent their families, designating each of the representatives by name. On December 29, the leaders sat down to investigate the matter. By March 27, the first day of the new year, they had finished dealing with all the men who had married pagan wives. These are the priests … Continue reading “Reminder: Gospel Witness and Divorce”