Originally posted by Baptist in Richmond:
Ah, then what counsel would you give to a remarried Believer? How are they to move forward? Are they relegated to second-class status in the congregation?
Nobody is second class--no one. All throughout the Bible we note the principle that there is a consequence for sin. Nowhere do we have so many examples of this then in the Old Testament. But even in the New Testamenet, Annanias and Sapphira met death because of their hypocrisy. So did many of the Corinthians because they abused the Lord's Table (1Cor.11:30).
If a woman takes drugs while she is pregnant, and then asks God for forgiveness once the baby is born, God will surely forgive her. But the damage is already done. The baby will suffer incurable brain damage the rest of its life. There is a consequence for sin.
In marriage there is a sacred vow made before God and man. When that vow is broken there is a consequence for breaking it, and those that break that vow need to face the consequences thereof.
Paul said: "My grace is sufficient for thee."
Marriage is not a necessity. The single life can be a very profitable life to live especially when serving the Lord. As Paul points out the single person does not have the cares of the world, how to please his spouse, or take care of his family, but is able to devote all his time to the Lord. Is this a bad thing?
Also it limits the service that a divorced, and in particular a remarried person may have. I believe that a divorced and remarried person cannot be a pastor. (the husband of one wife). There are churches that apply that same rule to Sunday School teachers and even the organist. The consequences of violating God's sacred institution of marriage are great. It is not just an insignificant doctrine. It is quite significant with a good portion of Scripture devoted to it.
You did not actually identify yourself as someone who thinks that divorced people cannot be Sunday School teachers or organists, so if you do not subscribe to this belief, then you do not need to answer these questions. If anyone is someone who feels that divorced people cannot do these acts of service, I am curious:
1. What specific Passages are the rationale for the exclusion of any service?
You are right I do not subscribe to all that I said, but only some of it, and even then I am not absolutely dogmatic. I look upon it as an ideal. For example, in a Christian school or in a Sunday School, the children look up to their teacher almost as much as they do to their own parents. The teacher is a role model and a very important one. It is not a good role model if you have a teacher who is divorced and remarried. It is giving the wrong message to the children. We teach by example.
I don't believe the same way concerning an organist, or soloist, etc.
2. Why stop there? Why would the congregation not expel the member for daring to violate "God's sacred institution of marriage?"
It depends what you mean. No one is ever turned away from coming to church. We invite all to come. But if someone is violating God's sacred institution of marriage and living in adultery, we would take the steps according to Matthew 18, and exercise church discipline. In fact we have done so in the past. That was many years ago. The disciplined member has since repented and come back to the church.
Furthermore, where does the divorced member "fit in" with respect to the congregational hierarchy?
Are former drug abusers allowed to teach Sunday School?
What about alcoholics?
What about fornicators?
What about the convicted felons?
How about converted "New Agers?"
What about converted Satanists?
What about former homosexuals?
What about a former athiests?
What does the Bible says about the qualifications of pastors and deacons. a deacon is but a servant of the church. I don't believe a deacon is a special office. The word simply means servant. "The husband of one wife," is a phrase that excludes divorced and remarried people. Polygamy was not the issue. Sexual sins are the sins that God is concerned with here--fornicators--absolutely not! He is disqualified right away. Any person living in sin ought not to be teaching.
But if you are talking of those that have repented and are now saved, yes God allows them to do so. The difference is the importance God puts on the sanctity of the home, the institution of marriage. It is so holy that he has compared it (in Eph.5) to the marriage of all believers (His Bride) to himself (the Bridegroom).
Are these people allowed to be organists, or must they sit in shame at the back of the church with the divorced Believers?
No, of course not. I don't take that stand. Anyone can play the organ. And God loves all equally. God has a place of service for everyone in the church.
Amazing that the Grace that saved me cannot overcome the wicked sin of violating "God's sacred institution of marriage."
We have two parapelegics in our church, both made that way because of car accidents that they were in. They suffered the consequences of their own sin. Did God forgive them of their wrecklessness, and foolishness? Yes. But they will be confined to wheelchairs the rest of their lives.
Amazing that the Grace that saved them cannot overcome the wicked sin of violating "God's law of obeying the authority that God has put over you (government--speed limits, etc.). There is a consequence for sin.
DHK
