But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. Mark 10:6-9
I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark. Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:1-12. Excerpts from the sixth and final section - the Conclusion - from the commentary provided for this text:
- "Dogmatism and certainty are not appropriate in an area where good and godly students who affirm the infallibility and inerrancy of the Bible hold differing views. Still, there are some things we can affirm based on Jesus’ words in Mark[.]" These things include: (1) Marriage is a gift and work of God that receives its meaning and significance from Him. (2) God’s design for marriage is exclusively heterosexual and unique among all human relationships (10:6-7). (3) God’s plan from the beginning is that marriage would be permanent (10:9). (4) Jesus acknowledges that because we live in a fallen world and have hard hearts, divorce will occur (10:3-4). However, no divorce is ever necessary, though it may be occasionally permissible to those whose divorce is on biblical grounds. (5) To divorce one’s mate (without a biblical cause?) and remarry another is to commit the sin of adultery (10:11-12)."
- The commentary also offers the following: (1) Where the sin of adultery and/or divorce has taken place, forgiveness is possible and available to those who repent and confess their sin (1 John 1:9). (2) If we are in an unbiblical marriage, we should not attempt to get out of it. Seek forgiveness for the sin of adultery, and then work hard to glorify God and be a blessing to the mate with whom you are married. (3) In the church we should emphasize the value and dignity of marriage while eliminating the shame and stigma of the divorced. We “mingle the call to obedience with the tears of compassion” (Storms, “Divorce and Remarriage”). (4) We should acknowledge that divorce is a sin that is far more hurtful and destructive than many other sins. (5) “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” No minister should perform a wedding without requiring extensive premarital counseling and the signing of a premarital wedding covenant."
The only words I can share on this subject: thank You God for my marriage to Lisa!
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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves. You also created marriage and my marriage to Lisa. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of my salvation nor my marriage. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
