BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 6TH, 1944
BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 6TH, 1944
Beloved Brother, — I received your letter and will seek to reply in interest and sympathy as in the Lord. I may say that I should have written immediately, but I was hindered by three bleedings from the nose which occurred on three successive days. The trouble seems to have cleared, for which I thank God.
I have, as you gathered, heard of your exercises and that they culminated in your committing yourself to the fellowship of God’s Son, and I have with my wife rejoiced in this, assured that the Lord will enable you to persevere in what He has called you into.
The complications you refer to I also know something of. They require the wisdom that comes from above and we are promised it by Him who gives to all liberally and reproaches not, James 1: 5.
In connection with this there is the government of God, involving His discipline, for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth and scourges every son whom He receives; also the matter of our earlier sowing, even the fruit of sowing of our unconverted days, for it includes things done in the body whether good or evil; 2 Corinthians 5: 10.
Marital matters enter into this and our faithful Creator attached plain conditions which were to govern it, hence in reply to the question of the Pharisees the Lord refers to what was written as from the beginning. The other gospels furnish no relief from such restriction as the Lord’s remark conveyed, but Matthew varies; that is, when the disciples say to Him “If the case of a man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry”, the Lord’s answer turns on ability to receive or [p. 356] not receive the word. The reference to eunuchs connects with 1 Corinthians 7: 7 — that is, what ability God has given or has not given in marital matters. Thus, while Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7 allow — I should say rather barely allow — the marriage of divorced persons, restraint is apparent. This is in keeping with unusual withholding of certain instructions or commandments in 1 Corinthians 7, all referring to marriage. It is obvious that what is unanswered, left open or reluctantly granted, are intended to humble those involved.
You, dear brother, are one of these if you go forward with what is on your mind, and I am sure that as you and Miss ——— face the whole matter in the presence of the Lord and your brethren, you will not fail of the needed mercy in such circumstances. The Lord will not fail to do His best for you both, as in Mark 7, as you accept before Him as it is — I understand there were two divorces — the whole position.
You both will, I am sure, pardon my entering into so much detail as to the matter in question. I could hardly deal with it scripturally otherwise.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.