In chapter 7 we find Paul firing off instruction on a vairiety of issues pertaining to personal relationships...particularly those related to marriage.
In 1 Cor 7:1-7, Paul states that the "best" thing (as it relates to the Kingdom of God) is for a person to remain unmarried (1 Cor 7:8-9) so that they may be undistracted and focus on fulfilling the will of God (1 Cor 7:35). This life of singleness is a unique gift (1 Cor 7:7). It has to be a gift because we as humans are beings that require physical (sexual) relationships. Now our society has so perverted what God's idea of sex is... that there is usually a lot of "baggage" for folks when it comes to sex. Some have thought that abstaining from sex is somhow a spiritual act of worship, while others have their "scale of normalcy" so whacked out, that they cannot find pleasure in their marriage partner. (This happens as a result- often times- of media input {movies, sit comes, soaps; romance novels; and pornography}. Other use sex as a weapon...deciding to "give it" to her/his spouse as a reward for good behavior. Paul says in the controversial 7 verses that sex is not a weapon but is a gift and we are never to use it as anything else.
In 1 Cor 7:10-16 Paul declares that it is never appropriate to seek a divorce. Believers do not divorce. They are submissive to the Lord and find a way to make their marriage work. Even when they do not find a way to make the marriage fulfilling, they recognize that they are instruments of God's grace in the life of the spouse, and give themselves to the circumstance so that God can use them to save souls of spouses and children (1 Cor 7:14, 16) This applies as a command to the believer and has no regard for whether the spouse is a believer or not. If an unbelieving spouse "abandons" the marriage, then the believer is under no obligation (1 Cor 7:15). [This is not a tactical consideration to try to run someone off so they will abandon you either].
The other verses dovetail into these issues in one way or another. A couple of highlights are important. Several times, Paul notes that the instruction he gives is from him and not the Lord (1 Cor 7:8, 10, 12, 40). This DOES NOT diminish the authority that applies to the statement. All Scripture is equally inspired and authoritative (2 Tim 3:16). The statement is best understood as an application of Christ's teachings...not something that He addressed specifically and directly during His ministry.
The second observation I would make relates to how we receive this instruction. These verses are very instructive for us and it is unwise to discount them because we have "issues." My wife and I do a fair amount of relationship counseling with married couples. I have found that if we (married couples) are serious about what is written on here (and find solutions for our own issues) marriages tend to be more fulfilling and God-honoring.
Proverbs 22:10 is the takeaway for today. Sometimes, we find ourselves with "Harry" hanging around. He is the guy who always finds something wrong with everything, complains without ceasing, sees impure motives in every action and even has spotted a few consiracy theories in his day. Guys like "Harry" keep everyone on edge and stirred up. If Harry won't repent...somebody needs to tell him to hit the road. Doing so will improve the atmosphere, reduce contention/conflict, and promote harmony.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
4 comments:
The church today seems to be missing the mark on this issue of divorce. The divorce rate in the church is as high as it is in the world if not higher. We have moved beyond loving and supporting those who have been through divorce, to embracing divorce. We're afraid to speak out against it and appear judgemental or hurt someone's feelings. We don't say anything because we're not in their shoes. We help plan the next wedding as we pray for the divorce proceedings of the last marriage to be favorable. What are we thinking? According to this passage, it is not what we're supposed to be doing.
As Chris stated in this blog a couple days ago, "We are responsible for helping one another by holding one another accountable for holiness. We are doing no one any favors by overlooking their ongoing sins or by choosing to huddle and pray for them...when what they need is someone to call them to repentence (Matthew 18:15). Does this take courage? Absolutely. Can it be ignored? Absolutely not. Perhaps if the church (including the church I serve) cared more about its own holiness than how the world acted on any given sin subject...we would experience a real demonstration of God's power in our midst and our witness would be light years ahead of where it is."
Wow Anonymous that is boldly stated, you still have to remember that we are called to love and have compassion. No one is without sin and one is sin is no greater than the other. I do not agree with divorce and I am thankful to Paul for instructing us. We are called to know the word and help direct others by the word and I feel like we do this (as the church). Every church I have been a part of does some kind of free marriage counsiling or has access to some type of help. The problem is that as Pastor stated people do not want help. I am not called to pass judgement on another because they did not choose to follow God's commands. God will pass judgement, we are to be like Jesus. Maybe I missed the mark here but I don't feel like the church is doing an awful job. I think we may have some areas of improvement but we can not make someone follow God's rule. We must love as Jesus loved and allow the holy spirit to convict. We must pray and demonstrate God's love and teach His word with conviction.
Amanda, I totally agree that we have to have love and compassion, no sin is greater than another, and we shouldn't be judgemental. I didn't mean to sound contrary to those facts. I also agree that the church teaches against divorce and has counseling for those that want help. I just don't think we as individuals in the church do a good job of holding one another accountable to holiness in general, and divorce is a great example. In this area we lean heavily toward lovingly supporting those divorcing their spouses instead of lovingly encouraging them to work it out even when it's hard. (I'm not at all talking about those that have already gotten divorced. That is the past.) We're too afraid that we will appear unloving and judgemental to speak the truth in love. (That's why I have to post this anonymous.) We as christians should look different from the world, but too often we don't.
Anon,
Well said I think. We are certainly called to be loving...and since we know that godliness is the best plan for people...we are most loving when we help people live lives of holiness.
I also appreciated your follow-up to Amanda's comments.
Amanda,
Anon's commnets do beg the question...if the church is committed to following Christ...why is there virtually no distinction between those in the church and those who are not Christians on issues like divorce (also bankruptcy, addictions, sexual immorality, etc)? Is it wrong or unloving to expect and help others to live lives of holiness? Paul dealt with a similar issue in 1 Cor 5 as he noted the accepted immorality in the church. He had a pretty strong opinion on it? Should our approach emmulate Paul...or some other voice in our culture.
Now these are just questions. You don't have to respond. I just wonder if perhaps Anon is on to something from an attitudinal perspective?
Thanks for the post. Some of the best comments we have had in a while.
Post a Comment