“凡休妻的，若不是为淫乱的缘故，就是叫她作淫妇了…” - 太 5:32

神对婚姻的心意是让丈夫和妻子离开他们的原生家庭，组成新的家庭。这涉及到的远不止是一纸婚约，或一个承诺。一对已婚夫妇一起立约，彼此承诺以神向我们显明的恩典和不配得的爱的样式来爱对方。

我们的婚姻模式是照着基督爱我们并为我们舍己的样式来委身。但对我们来说，这种自我奉献的爱并不容易效法。婚姻，时常显明我们自身仁爱和慷慨的极限，暴露我们的自私和骄傲，需要不断学习和成长。不幸的是，尽管许多基督徒在默默挣扎着去爱他们的配偶，分裂和冲突仍然会导致离婚。

在一个不完美的世界，离婚是我们不得不面对的现实。通奸、虐待或配偶的遗弃会导致婚姻破裂，以致无法修复。而那些为维持婚姻而奋斗的人需要得到教会的鼓励、支持和代祷。

我们还必须为开诚布公的分享创造空间，让人们能与弟兄姐妹一起处理他们的伤害和挣扎。经历过离婚痛苦的人应该得到恩典、关怀和同情，从而明确神对他们生活的旨意，继续前行。

祷告

主啊，我们为周遭世界离婚泛滥的现实感到悲哀。请赐给离婚的人医治和盼望，请将你仁慈的爱赐予所有已婚的人并充满他们。阿们。

马太福音 5:31-32

31又有话说：‘人若休妻，就当给她休书。’32只是我告诉你们，凡休妻的，若不是为淫乱的缘故，就是叫她做淫妇了；人若娶这被休的妇人，也是犯奸淫了。

Divorce

"Anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery. . . ." - Matthew 5:32

God’s design for marriage is for a husband and wife to leave their families and form something new. This involves much more than a contract, or even a commitment. A married couple makes a covenant together, committing to love one another with the same gracious and undeserved love that God has shown to us.

Our model for marriage is Christ himself, who loved us and gave his life for us. But for us, this kind of self-giving love is not easy to imitate. Marriage calls for learning and growing, and it reveals the limits of our kindness and generosity, often exposing our selfishness and pride. Unfortunately, many Christians struggle in silence to love their spouses. And division and conflict can lead to divorce.

In an imperfect world, divorce is a reality we must contend with. Adultery, abuse, or abandonment by a spouse can break a marriage beyond repair. And people who are fighting to keep their marriage must be encouraged, supported, and prayed for by the church.

We must also create spaces for open and honest conversation where people can process their hurts and hardships alongside their brothers and sisters. People who have experienced the pain of divorce are deserving of grace, care, and empathy as they discern God’s will for their lives moving forward.

Prayer

Lord, we lament the reality of divorce in our world. Please give healing and hope for people who have divorced, and please fill all who are married with your merciful love. Amen.