Write The Author
By Neal Griffin
Rightly dividing the Word of truth involves more than rote memorization and knowing book, chapter, and verse for every Bible topic. It has to do with having a balanced perspective of basic principles. It has to do with making Spiritual applications. It has to do, not so much with speaking where the Bible speaks as it does with speaking AS the Bible speaks. The self righteous Pharisees were experts at "book, chapter, and verse" but they managed to miss the main theme. They did not speak AS the bible speaks. They could not see the forest for the trees. And we should not think that we are immune from making the same mistake. A prominent example of this is in the area of accepting brethren. Loving and accepting brethren is the theme of the Bible from A to Z, yet paid pulpit ministers lambast their followers with a gospel of name calling and rejection of brethren. They have missed the main point. While struggling at a gnat they have swallowed a camel. But this is not where I would like to focus our attention.
Forgiveness is a great Bible principle. Jesus emphasized its greatness when He said, "seventy times seven". He again emphasized its importance when He taught the disciples how to pray. He said, "Forgive us our trespasses AS WE FORGIVE those who trespass against us". As I understand this passage, we are to pray for the same forgiveness that we have extended.
Now with this background I would like to consider the divorce exception for fornication found in Matthew 19:9. Years ago George T. Jones preached that this exception was not all inclusive. He taught that this passage, as do all passages, had to be resolved with any other related principles. I agree. Does this exception override "seventy times seven"? If one's mate is guilty of fornication, but truly penitent and begging for forgiveness, can the wronged party pursue the charges and inflict the sinner with a divorce? This is the common understanding. This is where the term, "scriptural divorce", originated. But is it necessarily accurate? We are not taking into consideration here the impenitent and wilful vow breaker who is indignant about having the sin called to his attention. We are dealing only with the humble soul overwhelmed by guilt. Can one withhold forgiveness and expect to receive forgiveness? Can the wronged one truly say that "I have done to the sinner what I would like to have done to me if I were caught up in the same predicament"? Can he truly say that he would not like to be forgiven? And when the divorce is final, can he say that he has rightly applied the "Golden Rule" and the "seventy times seven" to his Christian walk?
Who can deny that rightly dividing the Word of truth has to do with rightly applying the "Golden Rule" and "seventy times seven" to our lives? May the God of peace help us to honestly answer these questions.
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