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Does God Expect Me to Stay Married to a Jerk?
Christian Post ^ | 9/22/2009 | S. Michael Craven

Posted on 09/22/2009 7:29:33 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Years ago, a family therapist was asked, “What are the top three causes of divorce?” to which he replied, “Selfishness, selfishness, selfishness!” Of course this is an oversimplification of the varied and many contributing factors to divorce but there is an element of truth in this statement that permeates each.

At the core of all that ails the human race is selfishness: this innate love of self-self-worship-or pride. We alienate ourselves from one another when we elevate our desires, our opinions, and our feelings above others. We cheat and steal because we want, we lie and deceive because we give priority to our self-interests, we murder-in actuality or with words-because our puny sense of supremacy is threatened. This is the very sin that separates us from God: our love of self over and against the Father. In short, we are deplorably selfish beings consumed with satisfying our own appetites and desires, often without regard for anyone else.

This is the dreadful state in which the Lord finds us-and despite our active resistance to his rightful rule in our hearts, our thoughts, and actions, he lovingly subdues our rebellious pride with his grace and mercy. He saves us from eternal alienation that our stubborn resistance brings! The old man, so infatuated with himself, is crucified and buried with Christ; we are raised to a new life in Christ (see Romans 6:4). However, this new life doesn’t just happen. Our will, which was once in bondage to sin, has been freed to pursue godliness in obedience to Christ through faith. Paul, writing to the church at Ephesus, tells us that we are to be taught to cast away our “old self” and “to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22–24, NIV). C. S. Lewis summed it up in saying, “To become new men means losing what we now call ourselves” (Mere Christianity).

The clearest clue to what this new self looks like is given in Paul’s letter to the Philippians when he writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:5–7, NIV). This is a radical departure from our selfish nature into one that denies self even in the face of offense. This same nature is, of course, the foundation for marriage-but also all relationships.

In Ephesians, Paul lays out the foundation of marriage as being rooted in a mutual love and submission, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord” and “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:22, 25, NIV). Notice also that Paul begins this chapter with the charge to “Be imitators of God,” another reference to the disposition described in Philippians chapter two. Later in his letter to the Ephesians, Paul compares this joining of two people into “one flesh” to that of Christ and his bride, the church (see Ephesians 5:32). Thus marriage-this “profound mystery,” according to Paul-transcends anything resembling a mere contractual obligation. Nor is marriage simply a self-serving means to personal happiness; Christian couples should strive for and display this self-denying disposition.

Another aspect that should govern Christian marriage is the doctrine of God’s sovereignty.

Do we believe that when we suffer, we suffer outside the will of God, or do we believe that God allows suffering to enter our lives for his good purpose? Isn’t there the expectation that we, too, will share in the sufferings of Christ, that “we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22, NKJV)? While we do not eagerly seek to suffer, don’t we believe that suffering bears sweet fruit nourished by bitter tears and that such fruit is nothing less than holy character (see Romans 5:2–4)? If we believe that God in his providence causes everything to “work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose”(Romans 8:28, NLT), then wouldn’t it be reasonable to conclude that such suffering may also come in the form of a troubled marriage?

That being the case, wouldn’t we be expected to persevere rather than seek escape, trusting God for both endurance and the outcome? It is here-in the domain of our so-called domestic happiness-that we may be tempted to draw a boundary, saying, in essence, “Lord, you may come this far but no farther.” It is often in this context that the old self returns in an effort to assert his rights: “I need, I want, I deserve!” However, the Christian is compelled to lay down these rights and instead trust in God, believing that his grace is indeed sufficient in all things including an oppressive and loveless marriage. It is here that the Christian patiently endures, trusting the Lord for the grace to do so, and hopes for a future where God may be pleased to set things right.

Please do not think I am suggesting that the person suffering physical abuse remain in a situation whereby he or she is subjected to physical harm. I am not! However, that is a topic for another time, as I am presently addressing divorce for no other reason than the failure to achieve personal “happiness.” This is where we Christians either begin to differ from the world or remain worldly. The Christian life does not culminate in a quest to be happy but to be holy!

If our attitude is to be the same as that of Christ Jesus, then consider how Jesus responds to his frequently unfaithful bride, the church. Every one of us has, at some point, been unfaithful to Christ; we have wantonly rebelled against him, we have been indifferent, even abusive in our disregard toward him. We have all failed to love him at times and we constantly put our needs ahead of his. And yet Jesus never says to us, “That’s it, I’ve had it! I will not take this abuse anymore; you are selfish and uncaring; you don’t love me or make me feel special, so I am out of here!” Can you imagine these words coming out of the Savior’s mouth? Never!

So it is to be with us. For those poor souls who walk in darkness, there is no chance of assuming the self-denying character of Christ; but for those whom Christ has made alive, there is the all-sufficient well of grace. It is to Christ that the Christ-follower must go with his “irreconcilable differences,” not to the courts. It is only Christ who reconciles the unrighteous with the righteous and it is Christ that can reconcile husband and wife.

The question for the church is this: Will we truly trust him in all things, including while we suffer marital maelstroms? Will we follow Christ when it is most difficult? If we won’t, then not only will we fail in our witness, we will never know the freedom of living by faith. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

S. Michael Craven is the President of the Center for Christ & Culture. Michael is the author of Uncompromised Faith: Overcoming Our Culturalized Christianity (Navpress). Michael's ministry is dedicated to renewal within the Church and works to equip Christians with an intelligent and thoroughly Christian approach to matters of culture in order to demonstrate the relevance of Christianity to all of life. For more information on the Center for Christ & Culture, visit: www.battlefortruth.org. Michael lives in the Dallas area with his wife Carol and their three children.


TOPICS: Moral Issues; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: biblequotecagematch; divorce; marriage; separation
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To: humblegunner
I invite anyone who is against divorce to spend a week with my ex wife.

You said exactly what I was thinking!

101 posted on 09/22/2009 11:54:09 AM PDT by airborne (Don't let history record that, when faced with evil, you did nothing!)
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To: humblegunner

So she was pretty, smart, and a good mother....perhaps you were the problem then.


102 posted on 09/22/2009 11:55:32 AM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Two brave people did what thousands couldn't do to acorn.....bless you both!)
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
So she was pretty, smart, and a good mother...

None of those attributes take into account emotional health. Don't jump to conclusions.

103 posted on 09/22/2009 11:57:33 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: frogjerk
God has told us what He expects of us time and time again.

He's also told us different things at different times. There's no argument about that.

104 posted on 09/22/2009 12:00:25 PM PDT by Lurker (The avalanche has begun. The pebbles no longer have a vote.)
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
perhaps you were the problem then.

INCONCEIVABLE!

Oil and water may never mix. We're good friends now.

105 posted on 09/22/2009 12:00:43 PM PDT by humblegunner
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To: ShadowAce

I’m joking with humblegunner, but thanks for assuming.


106 posted on 09/22/2009 12:00:56 PM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Two brave people did what thousands couldn't do to acorn.....bless you both!)
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
OK--sorry for that. I knew you weren't being malicious, just thought you may not have been thinking all the way through.

I'll shut up now.

107 posted on 09/22/2009 12:03:06 PM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: SentForth5

In which version of the KJV do you “find truth”: the 1611 version or the 1769 version?

FWIW, the ESV is a fine translation. And yes, one can “find truth” in other translations, including the NIV, NASB and NKJV.

Yeah, KJV-only people tire me.


108 posted on 09/22/2009 12:09:24 PM PDT by Theo (May Rome decrease and Christ increase.)
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To: ShadowAce

No problem - thanks for taking my rude comment so graciously.


109 posted on 09/22/2009 12:10:48 PM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Two brave people did what thousands couldn't do to acorn.....bless you both!)
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To: marshmallow

The correct answer is : No Michelle, just until he’s out of office....????


110 posted on 09/22/2009 12:13:22 PM PDT by litehaus (A memory tooooo long)
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To: bvw
G-d gives you gifts and you want to chop them off? Sorry, I ain’t into self-mutilation.

Calling pride and selfishness "gifts of God" is perverse. I guess we should start referring to the Seven Deadly sins as the Seven Heavenly Gifts, eh?

Vade retro, satanas.
111 posted on 09/22/2009 12:19:57 PM PDT by Antoninus ("There is no movement," --G. W. Bush)
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To: Antoninus

See Post #72


112 posted on 09/22/2009 12:35:01 PM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Lurker
He's also told us different things at different times. There's no argument about that.

I would say we've understood his words differently at different times, in that there would be no argument.

113 posted on 09/22/2009 12:35:12 PM PDT by frogjerk (Obama Administration: Security thru Absurdity)
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To: frogjerk
I would say we've understood his words differently at different times, in that there would be no argument.

So if my sister wears a garment made of two different kinds of cloth I still have to stone her to death?

114 posted on 09/22/2009 12:37:12 PM PDT by Lurker (The avalanche has begun. The pebbles no longer have a vote.)
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To: Lurker
He's also told us different things at different times. There's no argument about that.

I would say we've understood his words differently at different times, in that there would be no argument.

115 posted on 09/22/2009 12:38:35 PM PDT by frogjerk (Obama Administration: Security thru Absurdity)
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
So she was pretty, smart, and a good mother....

That's what my ex says just before he trashes me. What he doesn't tell people is that he is an alcoholic. Yes emotional health plays a significant role on the viability of a marriage.

116 posted on 09/22/2009 12:42:32 PM PDT by LuvFreeRepublic (CAN YOU HEAR US NOW!!!)
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To: Antoninus

You hold there are two gods? One good and one bad? For there is only one. And he created everything for a purpose.

Get away from me, polytheist!


117 posted on 09/22/2009 12:44:16 PM PDT by bvw
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To: Lurker
So if my sister wears a garment made of two different kinds of cloth I still have to stone her to death?

Where did you get this blatant falsehood?

Deuteronomy 22:11 "Thou shalt not wear a garment that is woven of woollen and linen together."

Where is the punishment death?

118 posted on 09/22/2009 12:46:48 PM PDT by frogjerk (Obama Administration: Security thru Absurdity)
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA

I’m joking with humblegunner
<><><><><><><><><><><
I’m glad I read that you were joking before I jumped in and said something stupid.

I couldn’t figure out why you jumping on the poor guy.


119 posted on 09/22/2009 1:06:36 PM PDT by dmz
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To: bvw
You hold there are two gods? One good and one bad? For there is only one. And he created everything for a purpose. Get away from me, polytheist!

Based on your profile page, I'm going to assume you had a terrible marriage and have now altered your personal philosophy to fit your moral state. That is sad but understandable for it is what we weak humans often feel forced to do to provide a rationalization when we have transgressed moral law.

But the force pushing us to rationalize our morals and excuse our bad behavior isn't God--far from it!

I will pray for you.
120 posted on 09/22/2009 1:20:31 PM PDT by Antoninus ("There is no movement," --G. W. Bush)
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