FresnoJoe (09-29-2015)
The argument posed as the end all of this topic is the strawman..not your experience..
God who is the God of mercy authored His Word.. I am sympathetic that you were in an abusive relationship..but I learned that experience does not determine truth so despite the fact that I know some have had really bad experiences speaking the truth that sets us free is a necessity for me.
Had I known you then and had an opportunity to come along side you through that I would have encouraged you to seek safety and remain submitted and prayerful to the Lord who promises to work all things for your good and allow HIM to deal with your husband in whatever manner HE saw fit..
To let love for God and husband rule your heart and trust GOD to intervene...not divorce.
FresnoJoe (09-29-2015)
FresnoJoe (09-29-2015)
FresnoJoe (09-29-2015)
There are no scriptures regarding separation...but I do believe the Lord has often led His children to safety and hid them from danger...so it is in His character and as Colonel stated, the whole of scripture..
Had there been any specifics regarding separation they would have been relied upon...since there are none, we then move to the third layer of interpretation of scripture..God's character and past actions..
FresnoJoe (09-29-2015)
FresnoJoe (09-29-2015)
Absolutely...and that would be the reason for the separation...to fast and pray and align oneself with the heart and mind of God...just as when in any struggle we get weary and lose our perspective..this is most often the time someone will give up and divorce...instead they should give themselves more diligently to allow God to heal the wounds, forgive, restore love...give direction..
FresnoJoe (09-29-2015)
Technically, remarriage may lend some protection, especially in some areas of the world. An actual divorce might also lead her original household to do a lot more to protect her than separation would since she would then still be married to the man. It depends where in the world this is taking place.
FresnoJoe (09-29-2015)
That sounds like you are advocating fasting during separation in order to make that qualify according to the letter of 1 Cor 7:5, but the fasting and prayer isn't the intent of the separation, getting away from the husband for a time is the intent, which means it doesn't qualify according to the letter. In any case, the letter of the scripture dictates that the husband can demand that the wife returns any time he feels sexually tempted. This is what happens when the letter is applied across the board and not just with your selected divorce scriptures.
FresnoJoe (09-29-2015)
Yea...God didn't think of all these terrible scenarios when He gave us the inerrant guidelines of scripture...and at least He certainly knew we would encounter things He did not provide a GODLY solution for so He gave us guidelines He knew we could not keep and then said, My will is optional...you figure it out..
I bet He didn't know what terrible enemies we would encounter when He told us to do the impossible and love our enemies and do good to them...I know He is looking down now and shaking His head saying, wow...I didn't realize they were going to encounter such terrible things when I told them that..even I can't help them with THAT..
There are no scenarios anyone can conjure up that God has not made provision for so when Jesus stated the only grounds was infidelity and even then it's the hardness of your heart He KNEW GOD is more than able to provide what we need in any of these scenarios without violating His will...
The simple fact is...we don't want to
FresnoJoe (09-29-2015)