Brother Eric: I am asking for your thoughts and perspective on tattoos, body piercings, and dying hair unnatural colors. Does the bible speak on something like this? I myself find this disgusting. For me, it scares me, and would rather not be near them.

Hi, You’ve been teaching about marriage for a while. I just want to say that you are teaching wrong regarding MDR. You have to understand that what Jesus says in Matthew 19:9, is not part of the New, but Old Testament. Did you not know that? Also, you say that the ONLY reason for divorce is if one of the spouses committed fornication (adultery). Sorry, but you are wrong again. Brother Mike Willis, a person who is very knowledgeable in the Bible, and in the Greek, says:

a. A person may have to divorce his mate to break an unscriptural marriage (Matt. 19:9). In this case, one is divorcing for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. b. A person may have to leave his mate to become or remain a Christian (Luke 18:29-30; 1 Cor. 7: 15; Matt. 10:34-48; Luke 14:26). In this case, one is divorcing for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. c. A person may be in a marriage relationship in which his mate runs up bills which he has no intention of paying. In this case, one’s responsibility to God to pay one’s bills would demand that he not be supportive of his mate’s ungodly behavior (Rom. 13:8). d. A mate may be abusive to the children (beating). A person has a responsibility to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:1-4). To fulfill that responsibility, may require him to leave his mate to provide for the children. e. There are some cases in which one must leave to have physical and emotional health. One’s obligation to serve God would require him to preserve his physical and emotional well being. Consider what you are teaching, and please do not put a stumbling block to those who want to have a family or get a second marriage again!

I am not mad, angry, or in outraged wrath. I am sad, disappointed, and perplexed! This person is not hurting me, this person is hurting himself or herself, by talking this way. I am not in error, I am not teaching wrong, and I do understand the topic of MDR. When the person wants to get their way, they will, regardless of what the Word of God says. Who is putting a stumbling block?! Why do you call bible teaching a stumbling block? And, why do you want to get married for the second time? Second marriages are not valid, if your divorce was not for the right and valid reasons the first time!… You have the stumbling block, NOT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

John 11: 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

 Are MMLJ (Matt. Mk. Lk. Jno.) a record of the Law of Moses or the gospel of Christ?  Do the words of Jesus have application today, or were they “nailed to the cross” as part of the Law of Moses?  Incredibly, some say Jesus came teaching the LOM & that His pre-cross teachings do not apply today.  Why teach this doctrine? To allow all second marriages regardless of the cause of putting away (Matt. 5:31-32; 19:6-9).  What did Jesus teach? Are MMLJ BC (before cross) part of the Old Testament Law of Moses, or the New Testament gospel of Christ?

WHAT JESUS PREACHED, Lk. 16:16. Gospel of the Kingdom, Mk. 1:1; Matt. 4:23, 17; Lk. 4: Parables taught things about the kingdom, that OT prophets did not see & hear, Matt. 13: Foundation of His church, Matt. 16: Keys of the kingdom (not of Israel), Matt. 16: New birth into the kingdom (not into Israel), Jno. 3: Solving problems in the kingdom (church), Matt. 18: Apostles preached the kingdom before the cross, Matt. 10:5-7.

 Jesus & His Teaching is Presented as Superior to & to be Preferred over the Law of Moses, Matt. 17:5. 1. “But I say to you,” Matt. 5:22, 28, 32, etc.; 7: Words contain eternal life ( Jno. 6:63, ). a. If Jesus was just teaching the LOM, then eternal life was in the Law of Moses ( Gal. 2:21; 3:21 ). b. His word standard of judgment & source of life, Jno. 12: c. Moses spoke of Jesus, not other way around! Jno. 5:46-47

DO MMLJ BELONG TO THE OLD OR NEW COVENANT? 2 Cor. 3:5-8 A. Were the Apostles Ministers of Death or Life? 2 Cor. 3:5-6, If MMLJ are not for today (LOM), then they minister death. 2. Ministry of death written on stones (3:7); that’s not MMLJ. a. Was Matthew a minister of the old covenant when he wrote his book (by the Spirit) years after the cross ? (cf. John) b. Was book of Matthew a part of the LOM that was passing away, or part of the glorious ministry of the Spirit? 3:7-8 c. Did Luke write one book to Theophilus (Luke) that was a “ministry of death” ( 3:7 ) & one book (Acts) that was a “ministry of the Spirit” (3:8)? Lk. 1:1-4; Acts 1:1 3. Were Jews reading Matthew as a part of the OT? Does Matthew keep Jews from turning to the Lord? Or, did Matthew’s book try to lift veil the that remained when OT read? 2 Cor. 3:14-16 B. What “Writing of Requirements” was Nailed to Cross? Col. 2:14 1. This is not the “verbal” teaching of Jesus: “…writing…” 2. This is not MMLJ (they were written decades after the cross). 3. LOM is the “the law of commandments,” Eph. 2:14-15.

 The disciple of Christ is not permitted to appeal to the very words of His Master to authorize His conduct (cf. Lk. 6:40). The personal teachings of Jesus before the cross never apply to men after the cross. (But, Paul made application: 1 Cor. 7:10; Acts 20:35 ) Overwhelming evidence that MMLJ are part of the New Testament (will) of Christ, dedicated by his blood & in force today ( Heb. 9:15-17 ). MMLJ BC contain the authority of Christ…Hear Him ( Matt. 17:5 ). We can hear & do the words of Jesus...today, Matt. 7:24.

a. A person may have to divorce his mate to break an unscriptural marriage (Matt. 19:9). In this case, one is divorcing for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. b. A person may have to leave his mate to become or remain a Christian (Luke 18:29-30; 1 Cor. 7: 15; Matt. 10:34-48; Luke 14:26). In this case, one is divorcing for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. c. A person may be in a marriage relationship in which his mate runs up bills which he has no intention of paying. In this case, one’s responsibility to God to pay one’s bills would demand that he not be supportive of his mate’s ungodly behavior (Rom. 13:8). d. A mate may be abusive to the children (beating). A person has a responsibility to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:1-4). To fulfill that responsibility, may require him to leave his mate to provide for the children. e. There are some cases in which one must leave to have physical and emotional health. One’s obligation to serve God would require him to preserve his physical and emotional well being.