“Covenant Marriage” trend

I have heard a few opinions in the church from people that a second marriage is not valid in the eyes of God if your first husband is still alive (“covenant marriage” believers do not consider anything besides death valid to break up a marriage, and even reject adultery, or an unbelieving spouse leaving a believing spouse, as a reason for divorce). I often look around me and realize that if it were true that a second marriage after divorce is not valid in the eyes of God, about 2/3rds of the believers I know would be “living in sin”. Some would have been “living in sin” for more than 45 years!

Also, according to what I have read in scripture, if your spouse divorced you and remarries someone else, but you are still pining after them in hopes of a restored marriage, that is also adultery because they are another person’s spouse, whether you recognize it or not. (Jeremiah 3:1)

So I’m going to have to say that I reject the view of believers in the “only death can break your first covenant marriage” and “God doesn’t recognize second marriages” folks based on my understanding of scripture.

Disclaimer: I do believe marriage should be fought for, and everything possible (as far as it depends on you) should be done to preserve and save it! I believe divorce is allowed (not encouraged, but allowed) in scripture for adultery, and unbelieving spouse leaving a believing spouse. And I believe the church needs to teach that divorce is not the unpardonable sin, and Jesus forgives us too.

I have heard a few opinions in the church from people that a second marriage is not valid in the eyes of God if your first husband is still alive (“covenant marriage” believers do not consider anything besides death valid to break up a marriage, and even reject adultery, or an unbelieving spouse leaving a believing spouse, as a reason for divorce). I often look around me and realize that if it were true that a second marriage after divorce is not valid in the eyes of God, about 2/3rds of the believers I know would be “living in sin”. Some would have been “living in sin” for more than 45 years!

Also, according to what I have read in scripture, if your spouse divorced you and remarries someone else, but you are still pining after them in hopes of a restored marriage, that is also adultery because they are another person’s spouse, whether you recognize it or not. (Jeremiah 3:1)

So I’m going to have to say that I reject the view of believers in the “only death can break your first covenant marriage” and “God doesn’t recognize second marriages” folks based on my understanding of scripture.

Disclaimer: I do believe marriage should be fought for, and everything possible (as far as it depends on you) should be done to preserve and save it! I believe divorce is allowed (not encouraged, but allowed) in scripture for adultery, and unbelieving spouse leaving a believing spouse. And I believe the church needs to teach that divorce is not the unpardonable sin, and Jesus forgives us too.

From the stress caused, i can see the next generation not considering marriage as a necessity.
Gone are the days of 'The Waltons'

I have heard a few opinions in the church from people that a second marriage is not valid in the eyes of God if your first husband is still alive (“covenant marriage” believers do not consider anything besides death valid to break up a marriage, and even reject adultery, or an unbelieving spouse leaving a believing spouse, as a reason for divorce). I often look around me and realize that if it were true that a second marriage after divorce is not valid in the eyes of God, about 2/3rds of the believers I know would be “living in sin”. Some would have been “living in sin” for more than 45 years!

Also, according to what I have read in scripture, if your spouse divorced you and remarries someone else, but you are still pining after them in hopes of a restored marriage, that is also adultery because they are another person’s spouse, whether you recognize it or not. (Jeremiah 3:1)

So I’m going to have to say that I reject the view of believers in the “only death can break your first covenant marriage” and “God doesn’t recognize second marriages” folks based on my understanding of scripture.

Disclaimer: I do believe marriage should be fought for, and everything possible (as far as it depends on you) should be done to preserve and save it! I believe divorce is allowed (not encouraged, but allowed) in scripture for adultery, and unbelieving spouse leaving a believing spouse. And I believe the church needs to teach that divorce is not the unpardonable sin, and Jesus forgives us too.

From the stress caused, i can see the next generation not considering marriage as a necessity.
Gone are the days of 'The Waltons'

Actually, the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians says marriage is not a necessity either as long as you strive to please God in singlehood and remain sexually pure.

My husband was married before he became a Christian at a very young age. He caught her in the act of cheating and really should have had the marriage annulled. He stayed single for many years until we met.

Actually, the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians says marriage is not a necessity either as long as you strive to please God in singlehood and remain sexually pure.

I wish I could.
Im damaged goods. But trying to keep hope alive.

Sorry to tell you, but until death do you part. It is in the vows too. You made a promise to God, after you went with your hearts desire. Can only be done once. People can still marry former married people, it should have no bearing on you.

It’s NEVER too late to start over and ask forgiveness, as long as we are trying hard to resist temptation. Sometimes we fall, but that’s what God’s grace is for. We’re ALL damaged goods, that’s why grace is so amazing.

Sorry to tell you, but until death do you part. It is in the vows too. You made a promise to God, after you went with your hearts desire. Can only be done once. People can still marry former married people, it should have no bearing on you.

Can only be done once? I'm on my third (and last) marriage.

Then why are there exceptions given for when divorce IS permissible in the bible? Did God make a mistake when writing His Word?

See, people who believe in the “covenant marriage only broken through death” and “second or third marriages are not valid” thing can’t back it up with scripture, so what they say on the topic is invalid. Only God’s word matters.