DON'T JUMP THE PRECIPICE

TEXT MARK 10:1-12.
🔑KEY VERSE "And  he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, commits  adultery against her"(Mark 10:11).

The divorce dilemma is a growing social scourge that must be carefully avoided by everyone. The pangs and pains trailing failed marriages make it imperative for all sections of the social strata to understand the roots of this plague and identify effective ways of preventing its occurrence. Jesus, the great Teacher and Lord of all, has the panacea to this social problem.

His recommendation is, "What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder" (Mark 10:9). Marital relationship between male and female, with parental consent, conducted on the platform of religious, cultural belief or legal ground, is binding and indissoluble according to the Scriptures.

Divorce dilemma is such a precipice that no person should contemplate of jumping to. It hurts deeply and could hurt eternally, as no adulterer or adulteress, which a divorce situation occasions, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Every person associated with a failed marriage - couples, children, relations of partners, friends and well-wishers of the couples - feel the pain. The society is not spared because the product of crashed marriages are released into it with known heart and headaches they cause.

Thanks to God, who has provided ways of escape from marital malaise. How? Be a believer in Jesus Christ, who is the Author of life and Giver of all good gifts. Obey and follow His teaching on all aspects of life, including marriage and enjoy His fellowship by remaining wisely connected to Him daily. God is faithful who will always bless and heal your marriage in whatever area it aches. Amen!

✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Marriage is for life and never a part-time business.   

COVER TO COVER: 1 THESSALONIANS, 2 THESSALONIANS.

PONDER: Why divorce and remarriage  can never be acceptable to God.

1. Important facts on biblical marriage
a. It is between opposite sexes v6.
b. It is not by children but between adults v2.
c. It is only between a single man and a single woman making two v6, 8.
d. It is a permanent union that only death can dissolve vv9,11,12.
e. It must be between human beings born by human beings v7.
f. Any so called marriage different from the above is not biblical but human, carnal, devilish and hell bound.
g. There is a miracle of divine "joining" that takes place when two opposite sexes marry each other, whether saved or not saved v9.
2. Why divorce and remarriage is sin and hellish
a. God's commandment expressly says NO vv11,12.
b. It breaks one of the great 10 commandments which says "thou shalt not commit adultery" vv10,11.
c. It is a manifestation of the unregenerate hearts and not hearts that have received salvation and transformation v5.
d. It is opposed to God's original model and plan for marriage v6. Opposition to God's plan is satanic.
e. It destroys and oppose the eternal reality of Jesus and the Church as Bridegroom and Bride respectively. The bride (the Church) is not expected to divorce Christ for ever.
f. It encourages promiscuity which God hates. Once divorce and remarriage is permitted once, it gives excuse to continue indefinitely by the same person vv11,12.
g. It underrates and undermines the grace of Calvary which made forgiveness possible at all times, and the grace to live at peace with others.
h. In fact, it is clear from aforementioned, that those involved, including great preachers, will never enter heaven except there is repentance and restitution.

HYMN: Just Obey

Verse 1
Just as God who reigns on High
Spake to men in days gone by,
So the Lord is calling men today;
And, my brother this is true,
Whatso-e'er He says to you
There is but one thing to do, just obey

Chorus
Just obey, just obey,
Is the way, God's way;
When His message comes to you,
There is but one thing to do,
Just obey, just obey

Verse 2
If you're in the Saviour's hands,
You must do as He commands,
For there is no other gospel way;
Never put the message by,
Never stop to reason why,
When the Saviour speaks to you, just obey

Chorus
Just obey, just obey,
Is the way, God's way;
When His message comes to you,
There is but one thing to do,
Just obey, just obey

Verse 3
If for mansions fair you sigh
In that land beyond the sky
After time with you has pass'd away;
Tho' the way you may not see,
Christ is calling ''Follow Me''
Faith and duty both will cry just obey

Chorus
Just obey, just obey,
Is the way, God's way;
When His message comes to you,
There is but one thing to do,
Just obey, just obey.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, how are the might fallen. Help me that I will never descend into divorce and remarriage.
2. Lord, destroy every character tendency and the spirit of the last days causing divorce and remarriage  among your children.
3. Let the grace and renewal of love that make marriage like heaven in earth fall afresh on every married couple in the Church.
4. Pray that the door of divorce and remarriage will be shut in the Church.