QUESTION: I committed adultery during my first marriage of which my wife had no knowledge. She pursued a divorce that I did not contest. I married another woman with whom I had a child. Does my adultery during the first marriage mean that I cannot be married to my present wife?
ANSWER: The reason that you cannot be scripturally married to the second woman is because it is an adulterous relationship! Although you were guilty of adultery during the first marriage, your wife (not knowing) did not put you away for “the cause of fornication” (Matthew 5:32). Matthew19:9 tells us that the second marriage in both instances, hers (if she remarried) and yours, are adulterous. Had she put you away because of adultery, she then, as the innocent party, would have had the right of remarriage. You, as the guilty party, would not have had the right of remarriage. Your options in order to be right with God are: (1) repent and, if possible, return to your first wife, while making provisions for the child born to the second women, or (2) repent and live a righteous celibate life, while arranging for the child(ren). All adult parties involved need, as well, to repent! Please read carefully Matthew 19:3-12.
Certainly, the consequences of sin in this life are difficult for all of us, but just as certain is the fact that bending of the will to His, in this and all matters, will be well worth it all in eternity when this short life is over! Know, too, that God stands willing to forgive all things of which we repent!