Bible Discussion Thread

What Mild Bill has said about the paperwork being the representation of "what has already happened in their hearts" really hits the nail on the head, because sins are, first, sins of the heart. Marrying another person was not what put this marriage beyond repair, however. It was the husband's hardened heart, making the wife incapable of beleiveing this liar would change, ever. Would you not think that Christ would think this woman had had enough abuse at the hands of this man? Where is the compassion, here, with her church? Why has the church not removed him, unless the leaders are doing similar things, and have been blackmailed into not telling by the husband?

In the case of Isaac, he married his wife by taking her into his mother's tent, and presumably sleeping with her. That act made her his wife. He probably had a blessing, as well, from his father! Think of how many women this man has taken into his "tent"! Has this not defiled the marriage over and over?

In the case of David, who already had multiple wives... he committed adultery with Bathsheba, and had a son with her. God initially called Bathsheeba, "Uriah's wife". After David and she had married, and lost that first child, and after David repented and gave his heart to God, again, God actually called Bathsheba, "David's wife". God recognized the union and blessed it! Read the story in the record!! God did. But man would not recognize the union, today, if it happened, today?!!! It is apparent that this union was blessed because of the son it produced...Solomon, and the fact that David was called "a man after God's own heart".

I think we have to be careful to not make people suffer more than God would have them suffer, especially in cases of the heart, and in cases of abuse, where the heart is also involved.

And to think that a person, even if he or she commits adultery and marries another person, lives in a state of perpetual sinning, when they are sorry, and have been forgiven, is really to presume to know what God would do. Remember that God is more merciful than you would be!! And I imagine that your heart goes out to this woman. She should not be made to labor over this guilt trip, any more. Hasn't she had enough, regardless of whether she re-marries, or not?

Time to find another church, if these biblical principles are not exonerated, and if the leaders refuse to do what is compassionate and right, which would be to remove the husband from his offices.

Did you know that Lying and fornication and witchcraft, among some other things, are considered to be ABOMINATIONS by God, and divorce is not listed as an abomination. (look up the word in the concordance, and find out what things are abominations. They might surprise you. We put so much emphasis on divorce, because it is visible, but make no mistake, it IS a forgivable sin!!) Let's put emphasis where it needs to be put, and not create any more trouble for this woman. The leadership commits a SIN OF OMMISSION, if it refuses to discipline one of its abusive members. And that is just as bad as a divorce!