The Sermon On The Mount v2 8 Divorce
Jesus said in Matthew 5:20 that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, we cannot enter His kingdom. This was a shocking statement and revealed that their righteousness was flawed and not pleasing to God. Jesus gives six examples of contrasts between their flawed righteousness compared to His kingdom righteousness which was in harmony with both the Law of Moses and the gospel under which we live today. Jesus in Mat 5:31-32 exposed their flawed righteousness about divorce. They wrongly believed as long s a man gave his wife a writing of divorce before sending her out of his house, he could divorce her for any reason. Jesus clarifies the Law by saying that from the beginning God intended the husband and wife to be together for life. And, God only approves of divorce for fornication, if one spouse has sexual relations outside of marriage. The same is true today under the gospel, divorce only for fornication is approved by God. Any sinful marriages that God calls adultery must be ended regardless of what our legal system may approve. With God’s help by His grace through His Word, we can serve Him giving up all to have forgiveness of sins and hope of eternal life.
