A very keen observation, Asfaras....
How easy life would be if we always had our spouse's best interest on our hearts...I can't help but think that everything would fall nicely into place, as it should.
Agreed?
The only biblical warrant for divorce is adultery or abandonment by a non-believing spouse. It is simply not to be permitted in any other case. Is there forgiveness restoration and grace availible for divorcers and divorcees? Absolutley. But in this case it was never sought. It was a case of willfull, premeditated, and consistent rebellion. If you think I was going to let him come into the church and partake of the Lord's body and blood in the presence of the wife he abandoned, I don't have the authority to subvert God's word and order in that way.
Agreed that we should always have our spouse's best interests at heart..... but what happens if what we think is in our spouse's best interests is not something that they think is in their best interest? It gets messy.