Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
-Galatians 5:19-21, KJV (emphasis mine)
“…they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Those ought to be stunning words. A warning that all ought to heed. One that stops us short from participating in the list of sins enumerated by the Apostle Paul here in Galatians.
Is divorce in this list? If it is, I seem to have missed it. What I see is all sorts of sin listed, including adultery, and no mention of divorce.
Why is this significant?
It teaches us what God’s priorities are on such matters. Divorce is not named as a sin that will bar us from entering God’s Kingdom. Adultery is.
Remember: Divorce is not always sin.
Contrary to the evangelical subculture of focusing on preaching against divorce, the Apostle Paul clearly has been teaching against adultery–or sexual immorality more broadly (as in other translations)–far more. That is his concern. The adultery must stop or those engaging in such behavior will be stopped from entering God’s Kingdom.
And the Apostle Paul considers such a warning–i.e. to cease from adultery–so important that he reportedly is repeating his own teaching on this matter!
People’s eternal destination seems to take priority over pet projects regarding marital status. The issue here is not whether you remain married or divorce but rather whether you stop sinning–e.g. stop committing adultery–or continue down that path leading to an eternal separation from God.
Wise, godly counsel keeps these words from Galatians in mind and reflects God’s priority on such matters!
