Sometimes You Have to Walk Away … Always Being Hopeful and Praying for a God Orchestrated Reunion!
According to God’s Word, sometimes you have to walk away from a person (or people). When all godly remedies are exhausted, and even though it may be a very, very hard thing to do, Scripture tells us to walk away at very specific times. (To be crystal clear on this: there is an extremely narrow window in regard to marriage pertaining to this subject. The Bible gives two clear grounds for divorce: (1) sexual immorality (Matt 5:32; 19:9) and (2) abandonment by an unbeliever (1 Cor 7:15). Even in these two instances, divorce is not required or even encouraged.) To walk away from someone, when biblically allowable and supportable, actually might be the most loving thing you can do. The hope in doing so is that the sinful person (party) eventually will repent as a result, and maybe this can enable a potential future reconciliation…Lord willing! Walking away, when done as an act of biblical obedience, can bring the most honor and glory to God (versus unbiblically staying yoked to another). Regarding this topic, Scripture specifically states…
“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.” (Titus 3:9)
“I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.” (1 Cor 5:9-13)
Always be hopeful and prayerful for a future reunion, maybe on earth, but more importantly in heaven, with the person (or people) that you must walk away from when you’re being biblically obedient. An earthly reconnection would be nice, but a heavenly one would be the cause for the greatest rejoicing possible (Luke 15:7). If the Lord uses your walking away to start the process of repentance and restoration for a person with Himself (and then you)…praise God!
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Rom 12:1-3)
Walking away might entail a great sacrifice on your part. However, think about this…”Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” (Amos 3:3)