INTRODUCTION
A. There is a pending bill in Congress, HB 7303 filed last August 12, 2021 to legalize DIVORCE in the Philippines.
1. As authored by Edcel Lagman, it aims " to protect all women stuck in loveless, abusive and dysfunctional marriages."
2. As such, there is a need to study this proposed law in our country that " still prohibits" divorce.
3. And we have to know this proposed DIVORCE LAW in the Light of God's words, John 8:32
B. The approach in this study shall be as follows:
1. Divorce, Annulment and Legal Separation
2. What are the Causes and Effects of Marriage Break-Ups?
3. What are the Problems and Solutions of Divorce?
4. Christ's View on Marriage, Divorce, Adultery and Celibacy
DISCUSSION
A. Definitions of the following terms
1. Divorce - Legal dissolution of a marriage by a court and other competent body.
- legal or according to man made laws
- by a court or competent body
2. Annulment- Legal procedure that voids a marriage and declares it NULL from its inception
- unlike divorce, the effect of declaring marriage void is RETROACTIVE, " void ab initio," from its inception
3. Legal Separation- legal remedy for couples suffering from a problematic marriage.
- live apart and separately owned assets
- but are not allowed to remarrry as marriage is still valid and subsisting
B. What are the Causes and Effects of Divorce?
1. The four most common causes of divorce are as follows:
a. Lack of Commitment
b. Infidelity or Extra-Marital Affairs
c.Too much conflict and arguing
d. Lack of Physical Intimacy
2. Effects of Divorce on the Couple and Children
a. Feelings of anger,anxiety, loss and anxiety
. b. Leave children feeling overwhelmed and emotionally sensitive, e.g. guilt feeling
c. Introduction of Destructive Behavior
d. Increase in Health Problems
C. Problems and Solutions on Divorce
1. After the divorce, the couple often experience effects, e.g.
a. decreased level of happiness
b. change in economic status
c. emotional problems
d. effects on children include academic, behavioral and psychological problems
2. Post Divorce Problems
a. child custody
b. parenting time
c. child support
D. The Biblical View on Divorce, Remarriage and Adultery
1. Marriage was instituted by God in Eden to make man and woman ONE FLESH and " what God has joined together, let no man put asunder," Matthew 13:3-6
2. God " allowed or permitted" divorce in Moses' time because their hearts were hard, but it was NOT so in the beginning, Matthew 13:8
3. " Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery," Matthew 13:9
- He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery," Luke 16:18
4. " A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If the husband is dead, she is free from the law of her husband.
- While the husbdand lives, she gets married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress," Romans 7:1-3
5. From the above verses, we learn that Jesus and Paul affirm that marriage is for life for all people
a. Divorce is not sanctioned by Jesus and by His apostles today
b. Man's law on marriage, divorce and remarriage conflict with God's law and therefore should not be given preference.
CONCLUSION
A. The apostles have certain reminders for all Christians as we live in this world today
1. " Love not the world..the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life is not of the Father," I John 2:15-17
2. " Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, " Romans 12:2
3. " Come out from among them and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing," 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
B. If you are not yet in Christ and you wish to follow Him
1. Believe and be baptized to be saved, Mark 16:16
2. Repent of your sins and be baptized to be forgiven and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:32
3. Jesus is inviting you to come to Him for spiritual rest, Matthew 11:28-30
4. Now is the acceprable time, today is the Day of your Salvation, 2 Corinthians 6:2