Let’s begin by considering the Lord’s thoughts concerning divorce.  He states in Malachi 2:16, “I HATE DIVORCE.”  The Lord intends for us to stay married once we commit our lives to our spouse.  The Lord Jesus, Himself, said in Matthew 19:4-6, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. WHAT THEREFORE GOD HATH JOINED TOGETHER, LET NOT MAN PUT ASUNDER.”  To accomplish a sustained marriage, the Lord gives us good instruction in His Word for how a husband and his wife should treat each other so they might be happy together and serve the Lord together.  (Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Peter 3:7, Philippians 2:3, Colossians 3:19, Ephesians 4:31-32, and many more verses.)  Marriage was always intended to last a lifetime.  When we commit ourselves to the Lord, He will instruct us in finding and marrying that person, so that our lives together are according to His will.  We should marry, “only in the Lord” or by the leading of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 7:39).

Sadly, divorce happens so often today.  In the USA, the statistics of divorce are the same for believers and non-believers alike.  This shows that professing believers have adopted the customs of the world and if the marriage is not satisfying, then divorce is sought.  This has become acceptable and that truly dishonors and saddens the Lord.

Sometimes, the cause of divorce is one sided.  One marriage partner may seek a divorce, while the other one does not want it.  Sometimes, divorce is justified.  The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 19:9, “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”  This teaches us that in the event of fornication, divorce is permitted.  It is permitted but not required.  Often, even in the case of fornication, a marriage can be saved by counselling, forgiveness, and much prayer. 

In your good question, you did not state the reason for divorce.  If one is truly the ‘innocent party’ in a divorce, then there should be no reason this person could not continue to live for and preach the Word of God to others.  If this one is the ‘guilty party’ and his wife has divorced him because he committed adultery, could he be restored to the Lord and once again proclaim the truths of God’s Word?  Let’s consider a couple of examples of restoration in the Bible.

The Apostle Peter denied the Lord three times.  Before he committed this terrible sin, the Lord said to him in Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (NKJV).  Once Peter repented, he was used once again of the Lord.

In 1 Corinthians, chapter 5, there was an instance where a man was sleeping with his father’s wife.  Such a thing so bad that even the unsaved people did not indulge in such debauchery.  The Apostle Paul instructed the Corinthian church to disciple this man that he might repent.  The discipline had its desired effect and this man repented of his horrible sin and we read in 2 Corinthians 2:6-7, “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.”  We don’t read of this man’s work for the Lord, but he was restored back into fellowship with the Lord’s people.

Perhaps this man you wrote about has sinned.  We know the Lord will forgive our sins as we read in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Yes, one can be restored to service after sinning if he truly repents and is restored to the Lord.  His credibility may be damaged, and it may be a while before others are comfortable hearing him minister God’s Word, but not only does the Lord forgive us when we repent and confess, He will “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (CC)  (738.2)