One's Enough

Great discussion Wednesday guys. We covered lots of ground. I know that a few of you didn't have a lot to say so if we didn't answer a question or address and issue that you have please be sure to bring it up here or next week when we meet again.

Why did we go where we went yesterday? The question was raised in the context of qualification for elder. Well, we needed fully address the issues before we consider how it qualifies someone to be an elder.

Husband of one wife. Polygamy was a significant issue when Paul wrote Titus. I've got my hands full with one wife. I couldn't imagine doing what I do with more that what I've already got. But this issue had to be addressed in 1st century church leadership.

Is a divorced and remarried man a polygamist? Is death the only thing that completely disolves a marriage allowing a man the biblical right to remarry? That's why we looked at Deuteronomy 24:1-2. Remarriage was assumed and not condemned in any way. It was expected to take place. So, the Law guided through remarriage.

Jesus would not have contradicted the Law. In fact, in Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount, he reestablished the Law as the standard. People had so lowered the standard that it became a joke. Anything short of intercourse wasn't adultery.

I can see it now. The chief priest before a special prosecutor, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."

Jesus returned the bar to its proper place when he said, "if you've lusted after another woman you've sinned."

In talking about divorce he gave one allowable ground; pornea. It was intended to drastically cut down on the number of divorces by narrowing the grounds to this one specific criteria. All other criteria was invalid and unbiblical. But there was this one.

So, if Jesus allowed divorce, even if for one narrow ground; and if remarriage was accepted as appropriate and not condemned when divorce disolves the marriage; then I don't think Jesus would disqualify a man to be an elder on these grounds. But I do think it would be much tougher to qualify if you are divorced.

Children tend to act out their stress. And if mom and dad are fighting and divorced it's likely that the children could be described as "wild" or "disobedient."

A divorcee would have emotional wounds and scars that would show themselves from time to time. An explosive temper could be a symptom.

Something broke up the marriage. A man constantly fighting is not qualified to be an elder.

Divorce proceedings can be nasty. A greedy man is not qualified to be an elder. Fighting for the house, the kids, the 401k/ira, lake house, business, etc often times is rooted in greed or a desire to "stick it to my ex." Elder material?

Blameless. Not only innocent of charges like these but no cause to even blame, though maybe not even guilty of.

Ultimately, grace covers all of this. If we confess our sins God is faithful to forgive us. If we walk closely with Jesus then he will change us over time and these things that once characterized us will be distant, even forgotten memories. But time has to pass. And a close walk has to be maintained.

We studied the passages and discussed the issues. Our desire is to maintain a very high standard of holiness for our leaders. We cannot lower the bar just to fill the slots.

We will practice grace with one another. I'm always leary of churches and their names. It seems too often churches compensate for something lacking when they name themselves. At Grace, we will practice grace.

See you next week.