What does the Bible actually say about divorce? When is divorce permissible? What does life look like after a marriage ends? In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally continues the “Elephants in the Room” series as He shares about divorce & remarriage.
Divorce rates in America have been declining for years. The most recent numbers are that 35-40% of first time marriages end in divorce. The latest research shows that Christians who regularly attend church services have up to a 50% lower divorce rate than the general population.
The Messy Middle
TRUTH #1: Marriage is sacred, and God hates divorce.
And…
TRUTH #2: Divorce is not an unforgivable sin, and a past divorce does not define a person.
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If you’re married, fight for your marriage. Protect your covenant, get counseling before things are falling apart, repent when you’re wrong and forgive when they’re wrong.
If you’re single, become the kind of person your future spouse is praying for. Get so close to Jesus that somebody has to go through Him to find you.
If you’re divorced, take an honest look at what happened. Don’t carry the same habits and old wounds into another relationship and expect a different result. If you eventually remarry, become the kind of person your future spouse will be grateful they married.
And if you’re remarried, hold tightly to the covenant you have now. Don’t spend your life looking backward; invite God into your marriage and honor Him with it. Learn from what happened before, don’t repeat the same mistakes, and be grateful for another opportunity to love someone well.
Culture tells us, “If you’re unhappy, leave,” while religion tells us, “If you’re divorced, you’re damaged.” Neither one is true.
Marriage is sacred and grace is real. Those truths aren’t enemies; together they give us a fullest picture of the heart of God. He takes covenant seriously, and He is incredibly gracious with people whose lives haven’t gone according to plan.
Fight for your marriage while there’s a marriage to fight for. If you’re in physical danger, get somewhere safe; if you’re the one destroying the covenant, repent. Pursue reconciliation when reconciliation is wise and possible, and when something truly cannot be restored, trust the God who makes all things new.
Are you trusting God with your singleness and your marriage—past, present, and future?