CONTACT US

Workers In God's Kingdom
by A.J. Wilson

"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11-13

“"For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence," Says the Lord of hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously." Malachi 2:16

“But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.”1 Corinthians 7:15

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (see Titus 2:14)

“Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.” 1 Timothy 3:12 (see also Titus 1:6)

Last Sunday provided a landmark that needs to be addressed in our churches today.  To start, the June 27^th Sunday School lesson concerned divorce within the church from 1 Corinthians chapter 7.  Conversation abounded within our class ranging from what makes a good marriage, a checklist of items needed to be addressed before marriage, and how Satan has used divorce to fragment the Lord’s church today, among others.  The verses from 1 Timothy (above) and others were brought up concerning how divorce was preventing many from serving in ordained positions in our church.  This is the point today.

I agree with God’s opinion in Malachi above.  Even in justified cases of divorce there are so many violent consequences.  However, God does allow divorce in certain circumstances (Math 19:9, Rom 7:2, 1 Cor 7:15 (above)) a sign that we must look beyond the simple fact that someone is divorced.  Even in the most visible of divorces, there are things which are not seen or heard, to be considered (1 Cor 4:5).  We also have the promise of Jesus that we are washed clean from all sins, past and future, when we are saved.  Divorce is not the unpardonable sin.  When we come to 1 Timothy chapter 3 I admit that things get difficult to apply since every case is different.  Yet, I find no blanket exclusion on service by those who have been divorced in the scripture

To further illustrate, a group of willing individuals jumped up last Sunday to help a fellow member out when they needed some fresh air when he became winded.  Though I would normally not point it out, there were two divorcees, a single lady, and one other gentleman in the group of helpers.  God uses us all and we cannot allow Satan to divide us for any reason.

©Copyright 2008 Rowletts Baptist Church.  All rights reserved.
Hosted and Designed by S & M Computer Services