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Living up to what the Bible teaches about sexual morality, marriage, and divorce is very demanding. Abstinence before marriage is out of style in our society. So is submission for the wife and selfsacrificing love on the part of the husband. The idea that believers should remain unmarried if they obtain a divorce on grounds less than sexual infidelity or desertion by an unbeliever is scoffed at or ignored. These ideals are attainable, but in today's world it is more difficult than ever to do so.
On the other side of the coin, we are challenged to be sympathetic, accepting, and forgiving toward divorced people--even to the point of fully restoring those who repent. We find ourselves saying, "This is too much! God challenges us to a high standard of purity and selfless love, and then He expects us to be kind to people who didn't take His challenge seriously. Besides, if we are too kind and forgiving, won't we encourage others to take the low and easy road?"
If we have these feelings, we need to join Paul in praying that we, "being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend . . . what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that [we] may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:17-19). When God answers this prayer, we will be amazed at His love. And through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we will want to live up to God's expectations for us and be eager to forgive and accept those who have stumbled and fallen.
