Should Christians divorce their spouses? Why or why not? What does the Bible say about this?
We all know someone affected by divorce. Whether it be a parent, aunt, uncle, cousin, sibling, friend, neighbor...we are all touched by it. Divorce is becoming more prevalent in our society.
In Malachi 2:16, God says that He hates divorce. The word for divorce means "detest" in Hebrew. Matthew 19 discusses the topic in more detail. The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?" Jesus replied with a reference to Genesis 1:27: "God created man in His own image...male and female he created them." He then points to 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." They are no longer two, but have become one. "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (Matthew 19:6).
But it does seem that Jesus makes an exception to divorce. Matthew 19:9 says, "anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery." Here we see Jesus accepting of divorce if it's a result of unfaithfulness between spouses. This same exception is seen again in Matthew 5:32.
In most circumstances, I don't think Christians should divorce their spouses. I agree with God's word that unfaithfulness could be reason for divorce, but I also believe that marriage is a lifetime commitment. I think that even when adultery is committed, a couple can work through the situation with God's grace. Marriage is a covenant before God. It should not be taken lightly.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Justified by Faith
Do you think people can "earn" their way into heaven? Why or why not?
Christianity is different from any other religion in the way it views death. Hinduism says your spirit is reincarnated in another body and you pay for previous wrongs. Buddhism is based on reincarnation and the fact that another consciousness emerges after your death. Followers of Islam believe there is life after death that consists of sensual rewards and horrific punishments.
So how is Christianity different? The biggest difference with Christianity is that Jesus offers eternal life through an intimate relationship with the living God. But this kind of life can’t be earned.
This is a rather unnatural concept in this world. Seldom do we see things of this significance just given away. Every so often someone gets lucky and gets the keys to a new car. But the keys to heaven – that’s just crazy.
We are trained to perform an action and expect a reward. It’s like a dog doing tricks. When the dog sits and shakes at just the right time, it gets a treat. How about giving the dog a treat even when it doesn’t deserve it?
Now we’re talking about grace. Grace is given when it’s least deserved. God’s grace is given to every believer despite their actions. When someone repents of their sins and commits to living a life that honors God, it is God’s grace that allows them into heaven.
In Galatians 2:16, Paul points out how justification comes not by our good works, but by our faith in Jesus. “Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”
We can’t earn our way into heaven. It’s by God’s grace that we have been saved and welcomed into His kingdom.
Christianity is different from any other religion in the way it views death. Hinduism says your spirit is reincarnated in another body and you pay for previous wrongs. Buddhism is based on reincarnation and the fact that another consciousness emerges after your death. Followers of Islam believe there is life after death that consists of sensual rewards and horrific punishments.
So how is Christianity different? The biggest difference with Christianity is that Jesus offers eternal life through an intimate relationship with the living God. But this kind of life can’t be earned.
This is a rather unnatural concept in this world. Seldom do we see things of this significance just given away. Every so often someone gets lucky and gets the keys to a new car. But the keys to heaven – that’s just crazy.
We are trained to perform an action and expect a reward. It’s like a dog doing tricks. When the dog sits and shakes at just the right time, it gets a treat. How about giving the dog a treat even when it doesn’t deserve it?
Now we’re talking about grace. Grace is given when it’s least deserved. God’s grace is given to every believer despite their actions. When someone repents of their sins and commits to living a life that honors God, it is God’s grace that allows them into heaven.
In Galatians 2:16, Paul points out how justification comes not by our good works, but by our faith in Jesus. “Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”
We can’t earn our way into heaven. It’s by God’s grace that we have been saved and welcomed into His kingdom.
Monday, October 12, 2009
God loves a cheerful giver
Do you believe Christians should tithe? If so, at what level or percentage?
“Let us now give back a portion of what God has so graciously given to us.” These words uttered from the pulpit can send hearts racing and nerves through the roof. The offering plate passes by, but you’re struggling to make ends meet. Your gut says to give, but your checking account begs to differ.
As a college student, I’ve struggled with this numerous times. With what little income I have, it’s difficult to freely give it away. Besides, it’s not like someone is keeping tabs on the amount I give. Now that I think about it, this is beginning to sound like an issue of integrity.
In the Old Testament, tithing was a requirement of the law and consisted of multiple tithes totally over 20 percent. But the New Testament does not designate a certain percentage of income a person should give. Instead, it suggests giving in relation to one’s income. “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made” (1 Corinthians 16:2). I shy away from a legalistic system of giving and see tithing as an opportunity to give a portion of one’s income, whatever it may be.
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Next time the offering plate passes you, don’t let guilt open your wallet – let God.
As a college student, I’ve struggled with this numerous times. With what little income I have, it’s difficult to freely give it away. Besides, it’s not like someone is keeping tabs on the amount I give. Now that I think about it, this is beginning to sound like an issue of integrity.
In the Old Testament, tithing was a requirement of the law and consisted of multiple tithes totally over 20 percent. But the New Testament does not designate a certain percentage of income a person should give. Instead, it suggests giving in relation to one’s income. “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made” (1 Corinthians 16:2). I shy away from a legalistic system of giving and see tithing as an opportunity to give a portion of one’s income, whatever it may be.
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Next time the offering plate passes you, don’t let guilt open your wallet – let God.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Love and Race
What would your parents or other family members say if you brought home a person from a different race than yours and said you were in love with that person and thinking about marrying him or her?
I have confidence that my family would fully support me if I brought home someone of a different race. I know my parents, brother and sister would be very accepting and I think the rest of my family would, too, although I haven’t really talked with them about it. My parents have raised me to be accepting of people with a different background than me. After all, we are all one in Christ and He doesn’t see us as black or white. If I were to base my decisions on race, what kind of Christian would I be? Christianity emphasizes unity within the body of Christ.
I honestly don’t think this should even be an issue. I don’t think someone should be discriminated against because of their skin color. It’s simply a biological difference – their body produces a different color pigment than mine. Am I really going to treat them differently because of that? I understand that the cultural differences are also a factor, but how is that any different than being from a different part of the country? Would my family not accept someone because they were from the west coast versus the Midwest? I don’t think any of these reasons are sufficient for discrimination.
I think my family would ask questions about our relationship, but they wouldn’t be based on race. Instead, they would question my intentions in order to be sure I was ready for marriage and that he was the right man for me. These questions are independent of race.
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