Articles

SHOULD WE SHOW LOVE?

Of course we should show love wherever and whenever possible. No-one could disagree with that. But is it love to allow brethren and sisters to persist in an action which could result in their rejection at the hands of Jesus Christ, the judge? "Why shouldn't they be happy?" is the cry. But which is most important, the happiness of brethren and sisters in this life, or their eternal welfare? We have never been promised happiness in this life! Brethren who say we should show tolerance and forgiveness in these matters, are ignoring Scripture teachingMost of us achieve it, but the greatest satisfaction must be in doing the will of our Heavenly Father, whether or not we achieve happiness in our relationships with others. Those brethren who say we should show tolerance and forgiveness in these matters, are ignoring Scripture teaching. They should consider the words of Bro. Roberts, that divorce and remarriage are "infractions of the divine law".

Joseph was sold into Egypt as a young man, and his integrity was sorely tested by the infidelity of Potiphar's wife. She constantly sought to entice Joseph, and if he had succumbed he realized that it would not be just a sin against Potiphar, but a sin against God. "If a man sin against Yahweh, who shall intreat for him?""How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God" (Gen 39:9). When David committed adultery, not only was it a sin against Bath-Sheba, Uriah, and others — much more serious than that — it was a sin against God! "I have sinned against Yahweh" (2 Sam 12:13). The words of Eli, the high priest, to his wayward sons are very significant, "If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him; but if a man sin against Yahweh, who shall intreat for him?" ONLY GOD CAN FORGIVE SINS AGAINST HIMSELF — WE CANNOT, FOR WE DO NOT HAVE SUCH AUTHORITY. We can only conform to His will as expressed in Scripture, which forbids divorce, or remarriage after divorce, to Christ's followers.

When the Jews returned from the seventy years exile in Babylon, under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, some of them made marriages with the aliens in the land. This was contrary to the will of God, and Ezra and the God-fearing elders among them commanded them to separate from their strange wives, even though some had children by their alien wives. Ezra did not say, "We must show love, and allow the strange wives to remain with their husbands". He recognized that love for God must come first, and must be shown by complete and utter obedience to His Word.

Bro. Thomas has some very appropriate words in "Elpis Israel", page 81 & 82. Speaking of Eve's attitude to God's Word he writes, "There was truth in her; but she also began to intellectualize at the suggestion of the Serpent; and from his reasonings to doubt, and finally to conclude that God did not mean exactly what He said. This was an error of which all the world is guilty to this day. It admits that God has spoken; that he has promulgated laws; that He has made promises; and that He has said, "He that believeth the gospel, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be condemned." All this professors admit in theory; while, as in the case of Eve, in practice they deny it. They say He is too kind, too loving, too merciful, to act according to a rigid construction of the word: for if He did, multitudes of the good and pious, and excellent of the earth, would be condemned. This is doubtless true. Sceptics, however of this class should remember that they only are "the salt of the earth" who delight in the law of the Lord, and do it. Every sect has its "good and pious" ones, who are thought little or nothing of by adverse denominations. Today, there are brethren and sisters who are TURNING THE WORDS OF JESUS ON THEIR HEAD!The law of God is the only true standard of goodness and piety; and men may depend upon it, attested by the examples in Scripture, that they who treat Him as not meaning exactly what He says in his word, "make God a liar", and are anything but good and pious in His esteem."

In 1 Tim 1:19 & 201 Tim 1:19 & 20 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Hymenaeus and Alexander had "put away" their faith, and this is described as blasphemy. In Jer 29 the false prophet, Shemaiah, was contradicting the Spirit-given words of Jeremiah, and in verse 32 it says that he was teaching "rebellion against Yahweh". Today, there are brethren and sisters who are TURNING THE WORDS OF JESUS ON THEIR HEAD! Consider the following:—

Comparison of Jesus' teaching and what some brethren and sisters say today.

The Christadelphian body is falling into the same trap as the Pharisees, who made "the Word of God of none effect by their tradition". Is not contradicting the teaching of Jesus rebellion and blasphemy?

To summarize, we find that Jesus, Paul, and of course, the rest of the Holy Scriptures, clearly teach that marriage is indissoluble — that a man and woman, once they become one in marriage, are never again two. The marriage-bond is permanent, and can only be severed by death. Covenant-breakers are condemned by God (Rom 1:31Rom 1:31 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:), and we must not be "covenant-breakers". The Christadelphian body is falling into the same trap as the Pharisees, who made "the Word of God of none effect by their tradition". Is not contradicting the teaching of Jesus rebellion and blasphemy?The wonderful blessing of marriage is given us to enjoy, within the confines of "one man, one woman, for life". In spite of Israel's terrible record of unfaithfulness, God, our supreme example, has remained faithful to Israel, and will yet be re-united with His "wife". Jesus laid down his life for his bride, and his faithfulness is apparent to us all. When he returns his bride will be united with him for ever. Our marriages are a type of that relationship, a type which will be broken, if we are willing partners in divorce, or take part in remarriage after divorce. This is the true teaching of Scripture, and what we should be upholding in our ecclesias — this is what we should be teaching our children, and those seeking the Truth, by word, and above all, by example. To fall short of the teaching of the Word of the Living God on such a vital subject, is to fall short of that which God requires of us. It is to perpetrate "infractions of the divine law", and ecclesias who tolerate such actions are bidding "Godspeed", and become "partakers of their evil deeds". It is to jeopardize our eternal welfare, and the eternal welfare of those who may be led into wrong actions by our words, and our example. There are those who acknowledge that divorce and remarriage are wrong, until it strikes within their own family or friends, and who then decide it is permissible. Surely the faith of brethren and sisters should be strong enough to realize that in such circumstances the principle as taught in Scripture has not changed one iota. No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, the teaching of the Word of Yahweh does not change, and we ignore it at our peril. Let us resolve to uphold the Scriptural doctrine of the sanctity of marriage, no matter what the personal cost may be. And let us teach our children, and all those who will give heed to the Scriptures, to do likewise.