I committed adultery before the divorce was final. Do I still have a right to remarry?
Question:
Your web site is teaching me so much. The Word is so powerful. I am really trying to get a good understanding of where I need to be.
My husband committed adultery and I filed for divorce and ultimately divorced him. However, my divorce was not final before I got into another sexual relationship with another man. Not making excuses, but I look back now and know I was just a basket case looking for validation in all the wrong places. I have since stopped that type of life. I am celibate now, trying to be pleasing to God. But my question is: I know my ex-husband should not re-marry because the sole reason we divorced was his infidelity. But now what about me, am I free to re-marry even though I committed adultery before the judge approved our divorce?
Answer:
"Truly, this only I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes" (Ecclesiastes 7:29).
When people add so many twists and turns through their sins, it is often hard to keep matters straight. Your divorce was because of your husband's adultery. Thus, that does allow you the right to re-marry. You jumped the gun and not only started seeing another man before your divorce was final, but you also violated God's law by having sex with a man to whom you were not married. None of these sins should have happened, and you are correct that there is no excuse for your sins. I'm glad you are actively working on straightening out your life.
As far as I know, the two events -- the divorce and your latter sins -- were two separate events. Even if you started having sex after the divorce was final, it would remain a sin but it wouldn't change the fact you had a right to remarry. Because of this, I would conclude that you still have a right to remarry if you so choose.
