by Dave Brown
Ye often hear it said ...
Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement ... (Mt. 5:31)
But Jesus' teaching on this subject is quite clear (Mt. 5:32):
But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Indeed, this must seem a strange teaching, as many religious organizations do their best to avoid it. Our politicians have finally come to recognize that this nation cannot survive without the strength of its families, but they will never affirm the full truth of Jesus' words on this subject.
Jesus, when confronted about this issue by the Pharisees in Mt. 19:3-9, explained that "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." And, "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except [it be] for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery."
These words are not difficult to understand. What they appear to be saying is exactly what they are saying. The innocent victim of a spouse who commits adultery is the only one who is may scripturally divorce.