Matthew 19:1-12 #6

Matthew 19:1-12 #6
Let’s take this opportunity to make some applications to what we have learned from this text. Because of the excessive amount of divorce that has taken place in modern times, the question that is typically asked is, “What must I do if I have unscripturally divorced and am now remarried?” First, we must repeat what Jesus has told us in verse nine: “Whoever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality and marries another commits adultery.” Divorce and remarriage for other than the cause of fornication results in a person committing adultery.
But someone says, “Isn’t that sin forgiven when I come to Christ?” Certainly. All sins are forgiven when a person comes to Christ – but that is not the issue! The issue is the need to repent. Peter said, “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38). God will forgive any sin, but we cannot stay in the sin and remain forgiven. If a remarriage is adultery before one is baptized, it is still adultery after one is baptized. Baptism does not change the relationship.
Consider some parallel examples:
1. If two Christians divorced their mates without scriptural cause and married each other, what would they have to do in order to be right with God? They would have to repent (Acts 8:22) and repentance would mean separating so that they were no longer sinning. If repentance means separation for two Christians who are in adultery, why isn’t repentance separation for two non-Christians living in adultery? Repentance cannot be different for one than for another. The blood of Christ cannot be stronger for one than for another.
2. If two homosexuals married and later wanted to come to Christ, what would they need to do? Could they just be baptized and stay in the relationship? Certainly not. But if adulterers can stay in their relationship, why not homosexuals?
3. When Herod unlawfully married Herodias (Mk. 6:14-18), John’s answer was that it was not lawful for him to have her. They had to separate if they were going to be saved.
4. In Ezra 10, the Israelites had unlawfully married pagan wives. God had given a law against it, but had never said what to do if one violated the law and married a pagan wife anyway. Ezra’s answer? They had to put away those wives. The principle is clear: if it was not lawful to take her, it was not lawful to keep her.
The principle is no different in the New Testament. We cannot continue in sin and be saved.
Berry Kercheville