Can you comment on what God has joined together?
Introduction. The actions of God are of great interest to us because they often reflect what affects not only our salvation, but is also best for man in general.
God has joined husband and wife. Jesus restored God's marriage law to its original position - one man and one woman for life, the exception being adultery (Matt. 19: 3-9). In the context of Jesus' teaching regarding husband and wife He said, "...What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (vs. 6). It is regrettable that so many are living in conflict with God's marriage law.
Christ and the plan. Most religionists attempt to separate Christ from His teaching. Some blatantly affirm that you can accept Christ and reject His teaching. We hear the saying, "Preach the man, not the plan." Philip preached Christ to the eunuch (Acts. 8: 35). We are also told that immediately the man's response was, "...See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" (vs. 36). Preaching the plan is involved in preaching Christ. Put another way, God has joined together Christ and His plan (see 2 John 9-11).
Grace and obedience. It is clearly taught that man cannot earn his salvation (Rom 4: 1-6; Eph. 2: 8-10). Grace and debt are not congruous terms (ibid.). However, the scriptures also clearly teach that those who benefit from God's grace are His obedient children (Heb. 5: 8, 9). The truth of the matter is that grace reigns in the context of obedience. Hear Paul: "...even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5: 2, see Ps. 119: 117 as to "righteousness").
Conclusion. What God joins man must learn to accept. This is true whether we are talking about marriage, Christ and His teaching, or grace and obedience. Man is insulting God's wisdom when he attempts to do otherwise.
God has joined husband and wife. Jesus restored God's marriage law to its original position - one man and one woman for life, the exception being adultery (Matt. 19: 3-9). In the context of Jesus' teaching regarding husband and wife He said, "...What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (vs. 6). It is regrettable that so many are living in conflict with God's marriage law.
Christ and the plan. Most religionists attempt to separate Christ from His teaching. Some blatantly affirm that you can accept Christ and reject His teaching. We hear the saying, "Preach the man, not the plan." Philip preached Christ to the eunuch (Acts. 8: 35). We are also told that immediately the man's response was, "...See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" (vs. 36). Preaching the plan is involved in preaching Christ. Put another way, God has joined together Christ and His plan (see 2 John 9-11).
Grace and obedience. It is clearly taught that man cannot earn his salvation (Rom 4: 1-6; Eph. 2: 8-10). Grace and debt are not congruous terms (ibid.). However, the scriptures also clearly teach that those who benefit from God's grace are His obedient children (Heb. 5: 8, 9). The truth of the matter is that grace reigns in the context of obedience. Hear Paul: "...even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5: 2, see Ps. 119: 117 as to "righteousness").
Conclusion. What God joins man must learn to accept. This is true whether we are talking about marriage, Christ and His teaching, or grace and obedience. Man is insulting God's wisdom when he attempts to do otherwise.