Repentance Breathes New Life
By Moe and Paige Becnel

            Have you ever felt tied-down, strapped or hindered due to something in your past – maybe a bad decision (or two), a divorce, a broken relationship, a family issue, financial bankruptcy or (____________ --you fill in the blank).  Failures have a way of paralyzing our present and future life.  Let’s focus on the impact that a past divorce can have in your future.

Take a moment to ponder these few questions:

• Do you have high expectations that your new family will be a great family? 
• Has a past abusive relationship caused you to feel like you are not worth much?
• Has your past failed relationships caused you to feel undeserving of a great relationship, family and future?
• Is your new marriage all that it could be?  If not, why not? 
• Do you have a low expectation because you feel God will not forgive you for you past failed relationship?

            It is true that God hates divorce!  (Malachi 2: 16)  God is a God of love and of relationships.  All ten Commandments that God gave Israel through Moses discuss relationships.  The 1st four Commandments are about our relationship with God, and the other six are about successful relationships with others.  We (Moe and Paige) have both been through divorce, and we have learned first hand why God hates divorce; it rips people apart and causes deep hurts that take a long time to recover.  In fact, we have seen some people who seem to never recover from the destruction that divorce brings.  Divorce also dramatically amends many people’s lives (including extended family members) at the time of divorce, and well into the future.  We agree that divorce is wrong, and we regret that we have experienced divorce in our lives, as well as having had our children go through such a devastating experience.

            It is equally important to understand that God is a God of restoration.  In the Old Testament, God punished Israel when they worshipped other Gods and forgot the Covenant God had made with them.  Yet, every time Israel listened to the prophets and repented for their sin and asked for God’s forgiveness, God restored them unto Himself. 

            We must repent!  People who have been through divorce need to ask God for forgiveness, and repent.  Repentance of divorce is a commitment to God that future divorce is not an option.  God takes very good care of His children who follow His principles. (Psalm 91)
When there is true repentance from our sins, God desires to bring forth complete restoration in our lives.  There are 5 scriptures that come to mind concerning the forgiveness of divorce, and all sin:

1John 1:9 states,   “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.

Psalm 103:4 reads,  “He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases; He redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion.”

Psalm 103: 12 says,  “…as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

1Corinthians 13:5 declares,  “it (love) keeps no record of wrongs.”

John 10:10 states,  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

            If there is true repentance (turning away from your sin), God forgives completely.  Your “slate” is clean.  There is no more stain.  You are “white as snow” (Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18). 

            Will God participate in your life if you are remarried?  Absolutely! God wants to restore you.  He loves and cherishes you and your new family.  Jesus came to give you life------a full life, more abundant life.  (John 10:10)
God wants your new marriage to succeed. God does not want you to produce an average or below average family.  He wants to be the center of your home to show you how to love each and every family member the same way God loves you.  By all means, God does not want yet another divorce! Accept God’s forgiveness! 

Forgive yourself for any wrong you did in your past marriage!
Learn from your mistakes, and DO NOT repeat them!
Invest yourself fully in your new marriage!  Give it your best!  Give it your all!
Repentance means that divorce is not an option in your future!
God wants your new family to be a role model for your children’s future!
Move into your future with the knowledge that God loves you and is ON YOUR SIDE!

“Used with permission by Blending A Family Ministry. Copyright (c) 2009 Blending A Family Ministry. www.blendingafamily.com . All rights reserved.”