Articles
Are We Making Divorce an Unforgivable Sin?
Jesus said, “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9).
Adultery
What if a man does what Jesus prohibited? He divorces his wife simply because he no longer loves her, then later he marries another woman. Clearly, he is guilty of adultery. Now, what if this man wants to be forgiven? Let’s assume he is not a Christian. He learns about Jesus’ atonement, he believes, and he wants to be baptized into Christ. May he continue in his marriage to his second wife? Many say yes, since baptism is for forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). If someone objects that this unauthorized remarriage is still adultery, the objector may be accused of making divorce/adultery an unforgivable sin.
Polygamy
What if a man is married to multiple women? (That is illegal in this country, at least for now, but not in all.) He ignores God’s law of one man, one woman (Matthew 19:5-6). He is guilty of polygamy. Now, what if this man wants to be forgiven? He, too, wants to be baptized into Christ. May he continue to live with all these woman? If not, why not? If forgiveness cleanses one wrong relationship, why not many? Are we making polygamy an unforgivable sin?
Fornication
What if a man is living with a woman? They don’t bother with marriage, they just live together. Their cohabitation makes them guilty of fornication (Hebrews 13:4). Now, what if this man wants to be forgiven? He, too, wants to be baptized into Christ. May he continue to live with the woman? If not, why not? Why does forgiveness not cleanse his wrong relationship? Are we making fornication an unforgivable sin?
Homosexuality
What if a man is living with another man? They are not merely roommates, they are lovers: “men with men committing indecent acts” (Romans 1:27). They are guilty of homosexuality, which the Bible condemns side-by-side with adultery (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Nowadays, these two might even be married! What if this man wants to be forgiven? He, too, wants to be baptized into Christ. May he continue his relationship with the other man? If not, why not? Why does forgiveness not cleanse his wrong relationship? Are we making homosexuality an unforgivable sin?
Analysis
Four relationships. The Bible plainly says that each one is wrong. Why, then, do so many people say that the last three must end if one wants to be right with God, but the first may continue? What is the difference? The only difference I see is that the first is currently more socially acceptable, at least among church-going people. It will be interesting to see how these others are viewed over time as our society continues to drift (or run!) further away from God’s standards.
The question is not, What sin(s) can be forgiven? The question is, What does God require in order to be forgiven? God requires repentance, as well as belief and baptism (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30). Repentance is a change of heart with a corresponding change of life (Luke 3:8-14; Acts 26:20). One has not repented when he determines to continue right on in his sin, whatever it is. And one who will not repent cannot expect to be forgiven.
