How can believers uphold marriage values in light of Luke 16:18? Focal Verse “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.” (Luke 16:18) God’s Unchanging Design for Marriage • Genesis 2:24 – “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” • Matthew 19:4-6 – Jesus reaffirms that what God joins, humans must not separate. • Ephesians 5:31-33 – Marriage pictures Christ and the church, calling for permanence and sacrificial love. Why Jesus Speaks So Strongly • Covenant language: Marriage is a sacred, binding promise before God, not a casual contract. • Protection of the vulnerable: In first-century culture, easy divorce left women destitute; Jesus defends their dignity. • Holiness: Adultery violates the seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14) and corrupts personal and communal purity. Divorce and Remarriage: Taking Jesus Literally • Any divorce that lacks biblical grounds (sexual immorality, cf. Matthew 19:9; abandonment by an unbeliever, 1 Corinthians 7:15) makes subsequent marriage adulterous. • Even when grounds exist, divorce is never required; reconciliation remains the first aim (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). • Repentance is real: Past sin can be forgiven, but forgiveness does not redefine God’s standard. Upholding Marriage Values in Daily Life 1. Prioritize Covenant Care ‑ Guard time together—regular dates, shared worship, honest conversation. ‑ Practice mutual submission and servant-hearted love (Ephesians 5:21, 25). 2. Guard Purity ‑ Flee sexual temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18). ‑ Set protective boundaries with media, friendships, and work relationships. 3. Honor Vows Publicly ‑ Speak well of your spouse; refuse jokes or stories that demean marriage. ‑ Celebrate anniversaries, model affection, and let children see commitment. 4. Seek Help Early ‑ Invite trusted believers or counselors at the first signs of drifting (Proverbs 11:14). ‑ The goal is restoration, not embarrassment. 5. Support the Divorced With Truth and Grace ‑ Uphold God’s standard while extending compassion (John 8:11). ‑ Encourage repentance where needed and help them walk in renewed obedience. 6. Teach the Next Generation ‑ Instill a high view of marriage in children and youths (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). ‑ Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness in long-standing marriages. The Church’s Collective Responsibility • Provide premarital teaching rooted in Scripture. • Cultivate a culture where keeping vows is celebrated more than elaborate weddings. • Confront unrepentant adultery lovingly yet firmly (Matthew 18:15-17). Encouragement for Today Hebrews 13:4 declares: “Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.” By taking Jesus at His word in Luke 16:18, believers testify that God’s covenant-keeping love is real, reliable, and worthy of our lifelong imitation. |
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