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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Opus 2013-310: Not an Option

When we were first married we had a lot of issues to work out.  We still do but we have developed a bit more wisdom in the process.  We have thirty eight years and counting.  In our early “adjustments” the topic of divorce reared its ugly head.  The answer that kept being thrown out was, “Divorce is not an option.”

Why not?  It is more accepted than any time since the Roman Empire.  Divorce is easy and “no fault.”  We had two reasons, really.  The first is that it is against the rules.  As a Christian I must go with the words of the Bible,
(Malachi 2:16 NAS77)  "For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the LORD of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously."
There was the loophole of divorce but even that was not the first choice of God.
(Matthew 19:8 KJV)  He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
So to be honest, divorce is a tragedy at best (adultery) and blatant sin in most cases. 

The second reason is more important in the Christian life.  Divorce is not an option because it says I lack a faith in the providence of God.  It says I am wiser than God.  It says I do not trust Him for my future.  If I can’t trust Him for my future in this life, how can I trust Him for my eternity?

That thinking carries over into other areas of life.  Thus, depression is not an option.  Ultimately despair is not an option either.  We look at the way in which our culture is imploding and values are eroding.  We are tempted to feel helpless and give up.

Despair is not an option.  Faithful obedience and living as salt and life are what is expected of us.  So don’t give up.  Don’t give in.  Don’t feel like there is no hope.  God’s kingdom is often advanced best in times of hardship.  Trust and obey.

homo unius libri

1 comment:

  1. Remember the old line, "They said, 'Cheer up. Things could be worse.' So I cheered up, and sure enough, things got worse."

    Grace and peace.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.