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MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

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 By Ken Blue

One of the issues that must not be discussed openly among fundamentalist pastors is the subject of divorced and remarriage. When you do, you have just kicked the beehive. So, let’s kick it!

I accepted the Lord in the mid fifties in a Baptist church which belonged to an association of churches that refused to allow divorced/remarried people to serve in any ministry. However, you could join and tithe.

About three years ago, I attended a Bible Conference where an evangelist from the south was preaching. After the service, the pastor invited me to join them for a bite to eat. The subject of divorce came up, and the host pastor asked the evangelist if his Baptist fellowship would allow him to preach for a divorced pastor. He said, “No, they would not.” The follow-up question was “would they allow you to preach for a church that lets divorced evangelist or pastors preach for them?” Again, the answer was the same.  

Now, I am opposed to divorce, and I believe most Christians are. However, I am not opposed to divorced people. We do not always have control over what a spouse may do. The divorce epidemic in America has led some to change their convictions about divorce; others have discovered truth about divorce that has remained overlooked for centuries. I believe God has made provision for divorce and remarriage. However, the brethren will never agree on this subject until we get to heaven.

 One puzzling question for me is, if those who remarry while their “former” spouse is alive; and if they are living in adultery, how can you justify allowing them membership in your church? I don’t think you can have it both ways. Your answer would be enlightening to all of us.

My advice to those who have been divorced and remarried is to find a church where you can join and serve the Lord. If you are in the ministry don’t worry about what others think. Continue to serve the Lord and let Him be your judge. I think the bees are beginning to swarm; it’s time to run!

KEEPING YOUR FAITH TO YOURSELF

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Ken Blue

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.  For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.  Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” Romans 14:17-22.

We can do nothing but pause and praise God for His grace when we read the story of Elisha and Naaman the leper (2 Kings 5). Naaman was an idol worshiping gentile, until he was healed under the ministry of Elisha. Afterwards, he proclaimed his faith that there was only one true God, the God of Israel and of the whole earth.

Naaman was a servant to the king of Syria, and one of his duties was to assist his master when he went into the temple of Rimmon the sun god and had to kneel with his master before the idol. He explained his situation, and Elisha told him to “go in peace.”

Elisha’s answer illustrates perfectly the text in Romans 14. Had Elisha told him it was acceptable to do it, he would have condoned bowing to idols. Had he forbad him, he would have placed himself between God and Naaman. As Naaman grows in grace and faith his own heart will condemn him of his actions. He will be forced by his own convictions to make a major decision. Preachers are not to be “directors of the conscience” but ministers of the truth. All situations are different and each one may call for different advice.

A GREAT WOMAN

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By Ken Blue

“And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread”. 2 Kings 4:8.  

What was it about this woman that she should go down in the annals of God’s Word as a “great woman”?

Her social graces were demonstrated in her insistence that the stranger, Elisha, partake of her hospitality. It did not occur to her it that time the importance of her invited guest. Hers was a pure act of kindness to strangers. 

Her spiritual perception was the result of her godliness. She perceived that this was a man of God, and she requested of her husband that they add a small room for this honored guest to use. The room was added and was simple. It met all the needs of the prophet. It contained a bed, a table, and a lamp.

In time, because of her kindness, Elisha asks what could be done to repay her hospitality. She requested that God give her a son. Elisha assured her that next spring she would embrace a son. A year later she gave birth. What joy must have filled her heart! As her kindness and service grew, so did her faith.

After a few years had passed, the young lad went into the field to join his father. Perhaps the sun was to hot for him and he was having a sunstroke. His father had him returned to his mother. At noon, the boy died. Rather than complaining or blaming God, she laid him on the bed of Elisha and sent for the prophet. This was a great demonstration of her faith. God used the prophet to reveal to her that she would have a son; the same God could use the prophet to restore him to life. Elisha came in haste. He prayed and life returned to the boy and the boy was returned to his mother.

Because of the wicked condition in Israel, Elisha announced to the king that seven years of famine was coming. These were Israel’s darkest days while in the land. “And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.” 2 Kings 6:28-29.

Elisha informs the “great woman,” who now appears to be a widow, to take her son and travel wherever she can to find food and shelter. She goes to the gentile land of the Philistines, where she remained for the seven years.

When the famine was over she returned to Israel. She discovers that her house, her land and all she had possessed was owned by others. She went to the king to beg for her house and land. The king was informed that she was the woman whose son Elisha had restored to life. Upon hearing this, the king said, “…Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.” 2 Kings 8:6. Not only was all she lost restored, everything the land had produced during the seven years was added to it!

Notice: She was a great woman, but childless. She was great, but her child died. She was great, but her husband died. She was great, but she was not spared the ravages of the famine. She was great, but sojourned seven years in a strange land. Greatness and godliness did not protect her from life’s heartaches, but her faith sustained her. God restored to her a hundredfold.

One cannot help but see a picture of the nation of Israel in the life of this woman. The famine forced them from their land. They have sojourned among the gentiles for 2000 years. They are returning to their land, but do not have full possession of it. They will cry to the King and all will be restored a hundredfold.

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2.

THE TRADITION TEST

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TRADITION IN YOUR MINISTRY
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By Ken Blue

“Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” Acts 16:3.

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 .

It is possible, like the Jews, we too have allowed tradition to hinder our outreach and the Word of God. A good question is what would we give up or add in order to win more souls for Christ. I believe our answer may reveal just how strongly we are bound to tradition.

1.         Would you be willing to have services on another day instead of Sunday, if it meant you would reach more people?

2.         Would you be willing to change the order of your Sunday service, if it meant you would reach more people?

3.         Would you be willing to change the time of your service on Sunday, if it meant you would reach more people?

4.         Would you be willing to change the style of your preaching, if it meant you would reach more people?

5.         Would you be willing to change the decor and arrangement of your building, if it meant you would reach more people?

6.         Would you be willing to have your choir wear robes, if it meant you would reach more people?

7.         Are there musical instruments you would not use, even if using them meant you would reach more people?

8.         Would you be willing to change your music, if it meant you would reach more people?

9.         Would you be willing to use background music, if it meant you would reach more people?

10.       Would you be willing to face the wrath of the brethren, if it meant you would reach more people?

Now, there is no guarantee that any of the changes would lead to reaching more souls for Christ. The point is, would you be willing to change if you knew it would? Your answer will reveal your value of souls and the ruts of tradition in your ministry.

A TOMB WITH A VIEW

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By Ken Blue

 

Recently Joyce and I traveled to Wenatchee, WA where we grew up. Most of our deceased family members are buried there. Our purpose for the trip was to purchase our grave plots. I paid for all my funeral arrangements. If the rapture takes place before I need the plot, and you would like to have it, let me know and we can work out our arrangements.

Wenatchee is located in a beautiful valley with the Columbia River flowing through it. Wenatchee is on the west side of the river. East Wenatchee is on the east side. The value of my burial plot is its location. Not only does it have a perfect view of the river, but also the beautiful mountains and homes across the river are in perfect sight! What a deal!

Humanly speaking, it is perfect. However, in all seriousness, my view will be from heaven, regardless of whether I use that plot or not. Consider the following and join me. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8. “ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. “ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-57. Let’s tune up and be ready to sing this song with Paul very soon.