We begin to poke our heads into some touchy subjects including marriage, divorce, remarriage, and marriage to unsaved spouses. As we do so, it is helpful to remember that we live in a fallen world. God’s intention from the beginning has been one man and one woman for life. The fall and introduction of sin into God’s perfect created order (Gen. 3) messed everything up. We are now left in a broken world with broken families and broken marriages.
In our class and church, we have people who have experienced the agony of divorce. They would be among the first to tell you how difficult that path is. Nobody here prefers divorce. Yet some have experienced it first-hand. I invite each of us to tread on this ground with sensitivity and understanding. I invite each person to share both their insights from Scripture and how it relates to the experiences (joys & hardships) of their life. Let’s look at the passage together:
-----------------------------------
1 Corinthians 7:10-16 (NLT)
10 But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband. 11 But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife.
12 Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a Christian man has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. 13 And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. 14 For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy.
15 (But if the husband or wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.) 16 Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you?
Paul begins by commanding marital faithfulness (vs. 10-11). The vow of commitment is not breakable. If separation is needed, allow for reconciliation. Does this mean that divorce is not an option?
He then looks at an unequal union between a believer and unbeliever (vs. 12-16). It is a very specific and poignant message to the Corinthian church. Some in the church had found Christ, but their spouses had not. If the unbelieving spouse was willing to remain in the marriage, Paul says to stick it out. He says that somehow the believing spouse brings “holiness” or “sanctification” to the marriage – and it somehow impacts any children involved. What does this mean???
If the unbelieving spouse leaves, Paul tells the believer that they are under no judgment from God – the separation is beyond their control. Is this speaking of divorce, or merely separation?
The questions in my mind are many. This passage was probably much clearer to the Corinthians than to us. Our understanding of these issues is deeply clouded by our culture, experiences, and preferences. We are separated from Paul’s writing by 2,000 years. What do we need to bridge this gap? Can we possibly understand what Paul was saying to the Corinthians, and what that means for us?
What are the timeless commands found in this passage that I am required to obey? Let the discussion begin…
1 comment:
From Linda D. - she wanted me to post this on her behalf:
I wanted to up-date the class about my prayer request which so many are praying about.
In Feb. '05, I had a rather large wonderfully benign brain tumor, which I had named my "my chia pet" removed. Since then I have had post-op problems, one of which being seizures. I have been seeing a specialist in Syr. for some time while the Dr. tries diff. treatments. He has now decided that I should be 'outfitted' with a series of electrodes leading to a monitor which I am to wear for 48 hrs. the purpose to record any type of seizure activity, the type, and the origin. The result of said test will aid him in knowing how to treat more effectively. I had not been having obvious symptoms except slight tremors occ, since a difficult one in Jan. Hence my request in s.s. class for you to pray for seizure activity while wearing the monitor.
Monday I was adorned with bet. 10 and 20 electrodes all over my head in a variety of beautiful colored wires. I think that may be so that I can wear an outfit of any color that would match? Anyway, while applying the first electrode, I could feel a small episode. Then, not an hour and a half after we returned home, I had a set of more intense tremors. This morning I experienced a much harder and longer set of tremors lasting approx. 8 min. Praise God! Why-- because this will be a big step in my progress, and all because you chose to hold me up in prayer. I am convinced w/o a doubt God heard and chose to answer in my behalf.
I am writing this rather lengthily dissertation not only to give you a progress report, but also to encourage anyone that might be having a real problem with discouragement. Prayer moves mts. Prayer makes the impossible possible. Yes, it may take a period of time, time we don't wish to accept, or the answer may not be given in the way we want, but God of all Gods and King of all Kings has your name burned on His heart. We are all more precious to Him then all the silver or gold that He has created. Do we not think He hears and answers not only our prayers, but also others as they pray for us? Sometimes it's hard to share our prayer requests of hurts, fears, and sorrows, and sometimes there are things too close to our hearts to share, but know this if we ask those we trust to pray, it helps move the mountains that face, and it brings us closer to one another. Isn't that part of the unity we have been studying?
Oh, my dear friends, I didn't mean to rattle on so. I did learn a new phrase I am able to use tho. Instead of saying I had a senior moment, I can say I had a seizure moment. That will get me out of a lot!! (maybe).
Thank you for praying, but I want you to know you may stop praying for me to have seizures. Your prayers work too well!!
Post a Comment