7:4 - The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to the wife. - I know that you can have all kinds of fun at the cost of a verse like this but you can also miss the main point. When a wife gives herself to her husband she protects him from sexual sin and she draws him closer to herself. When a man makes himself available to his wife she is kept from sexual sin and relational sin because she feels closer to him. Sex is a beautiful gift from God that strengthens a marriage. never use it as a weapon and never think that it is insignificant. Work out what each of you needs and offer yourself to each other in a way that fulfills that need. Remember, love never demands something that degrades the other person.
7:5 - Again, I think this section strongly explains that being sexually active with your spouse prevents sexual sin, and temptation to some degree.
7:9 - ... for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
7:10-11 - Christians DO NOT initiate divorce except when their spouse has been sexually unfaithful and even then it is not a command but a chose. Some will argue, what about a bad marriage? Change it. Get counseling, read books, try harder, do something, but don't walk away. I read a study once where couples were going to a last ditch marriage counselor as they were headed to divorce and something like 90% of them were still married 5 years later and said they were happier than they had ever been in marriage. Don't give up on your spouse and don't give up on God's ability to redeem your marriage.
7:12-16 - Christians stay in marriage as long as the other person is willing. Some people ask about spouses who are being abused. Although this passage does not speak to that it seems from Scripture as a whole that they should leave, but not divorce. If they do end up divorcing then the Christian should remain unmarried and sexually inactive for the rest of their life or until the death of their spouse.
7:17 - Nevertheless, each of you should live AS A BELIEVER in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to you, just as God has called you. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. - I have heard this verse in other translations and it doesn't have the focus on living like a believer, but remaining in the situation you are in. I like the emphasis on living like a believer no matter the circumstances. You should live like a believer at work regardless of your job.
7:19 - ... keeping God's commands is what counts.
7:23 - You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. - Debt is slavery.
7:28 - ... those who marry will face many troubles in life ... - This is true. It is not that the relationship is somehow flawed, it is just that with marriage comes added responsibility and therefore the level of potential heartache and stress increases.
7:39 - A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. - I take this verse to mean that Christians should only marry Christians. Many people's faiths have been hurt by marrying someone who does not walk in the Lord with them. Some of the people who initially don't believe come to Christ, but that proves God's grace and yet does not nullify this command. We would save ourselves a ton of heartache if we would marry people who hold the same faith and values we do. I take this so far that I will not marry a Christian to a non-christian. That has made me public enemy #1 sometimes, but I believe it honors God.
Love, Michael
No comments:
Post a Comment