Marriage is the first model of the relationship between God and His people, and has been established by Him as an indissoluble union. It is therefore to be kept inviolate. However, due to the fallenness of human nature, the Scriptures permit divorce in the following cases as a condescension to human frailty for the protection of the innocent party:

• Divorce for the cause of immorality – with the understanding that the obligation to maintain or reinstate the marriage may not be imposed upon the innocent spouse.
• Divorce for desertion – desertion being defined as behaviour equivalent to the abandonment of the marriage relationship.

In such cases, the offending party becomes subject to church discipline in order to bring about repentance and reconciliation.  Should efforts to achieve restoration fail, the innocent spouse is not bound. He or she is free to remarry in the
Lord.

The remarriage of believers may not be approved when:

• Divorce is being used as a vehicle to seek a different mate, since such pre-intent makes the divorce adulterous.
• There is no evidence of repentance and brokenness over the circumstances which caused the divorce.
• Restoration of the original marriage remains a viable option.

Each case of divorce or remarriage must be dealt with on an individual basis from the perspective of God’s inexhaustible capacity to forgive human sin and restore broken lives.

For further personal study, we suggest you read the following Bible passages on this topic:

• Matthew 5:3 1-32; Luke 16:18
• Matthew 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12 (cross reference Deuteronomy 24:1-4)
• Romans 7:1-3
• 1 Corinthians 7