Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

Whew! This one took some time and effort. I am quick to affirm that Becki endorsed it. So if you get mad, I guess you need to get mad at both of us. I’m kind of kidding, because I just can’t recognize any good reason for any big bad reaction. I’ve been impacted by a related concept promoted by the late Dr. Linfield Crowder—“God hates divorce, but He loves marriage.” That pretty much touches the whole gamut of the issue.

I managed a little jog earlier. Dandy dog joined me. I look forward to when Becki feels up to joining in again.

Lots of work is staring at me. I guess I’d better do some staring back.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Whereas the heart is the life force of the physical body, it is an appropriate metaphor to represent the non-physical life force of almost every other area and relationship of life—including one’s relationship with a spouse in the course of marriage, as well as one’s relationship with God in the course of spiritual life. In this regard be reminded, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). A HARD HEART, as Jesus uses the expression here, is probably the direct opposite of our oft-repeated expression of the ideal—a HEART AFTER GOD.

We’re touching on an issue that plagues our world and culture—including the realm of the Church. It becomes a very controversial and complex issue—not easily settled by pat answers or simply quoting these words of Jesus or other Bible verses. So I want to tread softly, and not presume to settle the whole matter by my simple reasoning. However I just can’t seem to avoid concluding that there is something very foundationally important here by examining and understanding what is intended by a HARD HEART vs. a HEART AFTER GOD. A HEART AFTER GOD is a choice to love God, seek first His Kingdom rule, and love others—not bound to the rigid mindset that “this life is about me.” A HARD HEART insists that “this life is about me”—what I want, what I think, what fulfills me, what makes me feel good—besides, I’m always right! Of course the ideal is that marriage be a combination of two HEARTS AFTER GOD. Where this is a miss-match, there is potential for schism—in some cases a need for schism.

In view of the context and flow of ideas presented by Jesus, I think the HARD HEART factor is clearly implied. Allow me to read that into Jesus’ words—“Anyone, motivated by a HARD HEART, who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she, motivated by a HARD HEART, divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery” (10:11-12).

The bottom line that I glean from Jesus’ words to those HARD HEARTED Pharisees is basically this:

1. Don’t you ever think that divorce was part of God’s ideal for human marriage.


2. But neither should you think that a marathon of marital tension and conflict, yet without actual divorce, is any closer to His ideal for human marriage.

Consider this reasoning: To insist that enduring a marriage of selfish irresolvable conflict and tension that displays a rotten role model is better than the option of divorce may be on a par with insisting that cold superficial Christianity is better than primitive heathenism or secular atheism. I don’t think God would agree with either thesis. After all, Jesus also said, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16)—in other words, “You make me sick!”

How can we bring all this to a devotional conclusion? One way is to repeat this simple statement after me: A HEARTAFTER GOD IS MY BEST OPTION AT EVERY POINT OF MY ENTIRE EXISTENCE.