QT 15 Nov 19, Mal 2:13-16, Divorce is a cancer to our society

Malachi 2:13–16 (ESV) — 13 And this second thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”

NOTE: We are guilty as a culture and as a whole planet. Not only do we divorce freely, we have further blasphemed God by calling same-sex unions marriage. Marriage is uniquely defined by God. My heart hurts for those who believe a same-sex union will bring them happiness. I don't think it will, but they have a right to make those choices. If they don't believe in God, then there is not a lot to say. But if they do believe in the God of the Bible, they need to know that he calls same-sex relationships sin. I have no right to force behavior and I never will. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. But divorce and same-sex unions are not how God intended marriage to transpire. Of course, there is forgiveness. But we cannot act in a sinful manner knowing that there is always forgiveness available--that is hypocrisy. For myself, I must guard against faithlessness. I will never dismiss that danger. I need God's protection. I need to set up barriers. VP Pence was laughed at for his fences, but God does not laugh at a man who takes precautions with relationships. We all need to do the same.

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes to sin. Protect us from the enemies schemes. May we never dismiss sin, but may we always treat people as Jesus treated them. He did not look down on the woman who committed adultery but told her to go and sin no more. May we treat others with such kindness.