Divorce in the Church - Glimpses of God

Advertise Your Business Or Website At HomewithGod.com

~ Divorce in the Church ~

According to the doctrine of some, it is believed, if one has been divorced, God would not and could not call them to be a preacher; as if it would then be impossible for God to use them in such position. In like cases, the fact that God did call them is not honored or received. They might even be blackballed from 'preacher' events.
If one is a preacher already, and becomes divorced (regardless of circumstances), he is then banned 'from serving in that position' for life. He either has to step outside of his faith, in order to continue in his calling, or accept the spiritual imprisonment mandated; as if to say that God is incapable of forgiving him. For which emotional and, sometimes, spiritual abandonment occurs; along with judging, persecution, and the like.
Besides being contrary to scripture, if one believes in said doctrine, not only is it 'painful and heart wrenching' but it is a lying spirit that lends to torment their soul.
Though, even if it was the preacher who went astray; once his heart is made right, scripture supports the ability for him to continue in his calling.

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Psalm 86:5 As all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Matthew 12:31 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. Romans 11:23

The argument given is that a preacher can only be the husband of one wife ... for life, or at least until their mate dies. Others purpose that preachers are to only have one wife at a time.
The Apostle Paul said the wife is the church (Ephesians 5:32), for which theologians agree. Thus, a pastor, with the heart for it, would commit himself, to his church, as in a spiritual marriage. And unfortunately, as it turns out, not all pastor's helpmates are as devoted to the ministry as was thought. In some cases, who she may have 'walked out on' is God.

There are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Matthew 19:11-12

And some do remarry someone with 'more of a heart' for it, as two is still better than one (Hosea 3:1, 11:4).
A continued debate is that such a preacher did not rule his own house well, even if the spouse is the one who left despite all efforts; which thinking is also in contradiction to scripture as Ezekiel 14 says, four times, you can not save anyone but yourself. If anyone is still standing for God, after a separating of ways, they did, in fact, rule their own spiritual house very well.

Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Matthew 19:29

To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not. Lamentations 3:36 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Romans 11:29 Furthermore, he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. John 7:18

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge
against the children of thy people, but thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:18

Jesus said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
But the lawyer, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

Judas repented. Matthew 27:3
Yet, they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
God did not answer. And so, they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 1:24-26

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. John 10:1

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him.
Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

If you are not free to serve God,
it is not yet the truth.

John 8:31-32 (par.)

~ * ~

For this is the love of God, that we
keep his commandments: and his
commandments are not grievous.

1 John 5:3

~ * ~

John bare witness of him, and cried,
saying, This was he of whom I spake, He
that cometh after me is preferred before me:
for he was before me. And of his fulness
have all we received, and grace for grace.

John 1:15-16

Due to many variables, the only way to 'not error in judgment' is to make sure one's judgment lines up with God's perfect will. To accomplish that, one first needs to wait until God reveals 'what is going on' within each party's spiritual darkness and the true need of their heart. 1 Corinthians 4:5 (par.) And if you don't know how to do that, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church (1 Corinthians 6:4) as they are the ones most likely to know, first hand, all that love is not.
To love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength and thy neighbour as thyself; There is none other commandment greater than these.

The steps of a good man are ordered by
the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalm 37:23

See Related Articles

[ Our Call to Battered Women ]
[ In Remembrance of Me ]
[ When the Vow Breaks ]

If you Receive a Blessing
* Share this Page *
and Be a Blessing!

Healing From Abuse
Powered by Ringsurf

Stationery by Cloudeight

Sending the Comforter by Danny Hahlbohm - site closed
Graphics by Unknown

This page is dedicated to
Glenn Costner, John D. Hawkins, Brad Smith,
John Slater, Jr., David Anderson and
persecuted servants everywhere.

midi - "Does Jesus Care? - Sequencer Unknown
Words by Frank Graeff, Tune by J. Lincoln Hall

© 2007 by Joyce C. Lock, KJV

[ Last Page Visited ]

[ Main Index ] [ Gog and Magog Index ] [ Site Map ]

Google^© Website Translator
• French • German • Italian • Portuguese • Spanish •

© by Glimpses of God, since 1992