Day By Day - 1 Corinthians 7
By John Horsburgh
Opening Thoughts:
On the surface this chapter is all about marriage. Paul gives some advice that he claims as being from himself and some as from God.
In an age where marriage is increasingly called into question by our society and so many treat marriage with a revolving door concept, how do we read a chapter like this one and keep a loving attitude towards the many who have suffered the loss and heartache of broken relationships? The simple answer is that we love as Christ loved and remember that we have all failed Christ at some point in our lives. Christ still offers love, forgiveness and acceptance to us in spite of our failures.
Underlying any discussion of marriage there is another thread that we can and should study, and that is the relationship of Christ and the Bride. Let us always remember that we are collectively His and there will come a day when the marriage feast of the Lamb will be presented to Christ as spotless and holy.
Three Main Ideas:
1. Intimacy
Paul doesn’t beat about the bush but speaks in a manner that many may think is not appropriate to scripture. As I read this, I am mindful we live in times so focused on personal rights that we can tend to forget that, as marriage partners, we have a responsibility towards the one with whom we share our lives.
Although Paul is giving directions to couples, there is that undercurrent for us to discern the concept of our intimacy with Christ as the eternal Bridegroom. If we think we “know” our spouse, how much better does the Spirit of God know us?
In those times when we lose our temper with each other, or those times when we feel like we have been failed and maybe even harboured a grudge for a while; in those times do we ever stop to think of the manner in which we have failed Christ or let Him down? Do we stop to realise that He stands before us just longing to hold us to His heart offering forgiveness and renewal? His is the true love that wants the best for His church, His Bride; the very best for us and He gave His life to achieve it.
2. Should I, shouldn’t I?
When taken in conjunction with other scriptures, it becomes clear that a believer in Christ should not knowingly marry a non-believer. However, here Paul talks openly about a situation where one person in a marriage becomes a believer. His solution boils down to let love conquer all. If the non-believer wants to stay, love them and you may even love them into the Kingdom. If they want to leave the union, love them enough to release them. This was at a time when it was increasingly dangerous to be known as a believer and many would be fearful of staying in a relationship with a Christian.
Beyond that issue there is the issue of innocence and purity. Paul raises the question of desire and lust and makes the statement that it is better to marry than burn.
I lived my teenage years through the sixties and early seventies and also became filled with the Spirit during the Charismatic Renewal in this same time frame. The world pulled in one direction and the desire to do what was right in God's eyes pulled in another but even here the image of Christ prevailed.
In the Garden, Christ knowing what lay ahead earnestly prayed, “if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” When the time came and the innocent Jesus was brought before His accusers, His love for us was fixed and resolute. He chose the path of love for us.
3. Where is my priority?
Paul speaks about where our heart is focused. The husband wants to please his wife, the wife wants to please her husband. Into this mix we need to blend our duty towards God and realise that from other scriptures, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
As one half of a married couple I have a huge responsibility to love and nurture my other half and, together we must always make God our number one priority.
My thoughts keep returning to Jesus who faced so many temptations through His life but kept His heart set on the things of the Father and made us His priority so that when He comes again as the Christ, He will be able to claim us as His eternal Bride.
Final thoughts:
We sometimes feel uncomfortable with what we see as rules and regulations. Paul gives us these guidelines but we need to stop looking at them as an imposition and realise that love, true love is not a transient emotion but is an eternal value that we choose to live by.
Opening Thoughts:
On the surface this chapter is all about marriage. Paul gives some advice that he claims as being from himself and some as from God.
In an age where marriage is increasingly called into question by our society and so many treat marriage with a revolving door concept, how do we read a chapter like this one and keep a loving attitude towards the many who have suffered the loss and heartache of broken relationships? The simple answer is that we love as Christ loved and remember that we have all failed Christ at some point in our lives. Christ still offers love, forgiveness and acceptance to us in spite of our failures.
Underlying any discussion of marriage there is another thread that we can and should study, and that is the relationship of Christ and the Bride. Let us always remember that we are collectively His and there will come a day when the marriage feast of the Lamb will be presented to Christ as spotless and holy.
Three Main Ideas:
1. Intimacy
Paul doesn’t beat about the bush but speaks in a manner that many may think is not appropriate to scripture. As I read this, I am mindful we live in times so focused on personal rights that we can tend to forget that, as marriage partners, we have a responsibility towards the one with whom we share our lives.
Although Paul is giving directions to couples, there is that undercurrent for us to discern the concept of our intimacy with Christ as the eternal Bridegroom. If we think we “know” our spouse, how much better does the Spirit of God know us?
In those times when we lose our temper with each other, or those times when we feel like we have been failed and maybe even harboured a grudge for a while; in those times do we ever stop to think of the manner in which we have failed Christ or let Him down? Do we stop to realise that He stands before us just longing to hold us to His heart offering forgiveness and renewal? His is the true love that wants the best for His church, His Bride; the very best for us and He gave His life to achieve it.
2. Should I, shouldn’t I?
When taken in conjunction with other scriptures, it becomes clear that a believer in Christ should not knowingly marry a non-believer. However, here Paul talks openly about a situation where one person in a marriage becomes a believer. His solution boils down to let love conquer all. If the non-believer wants to stay, love them and you may even love them into the Kingdom. If they want to leave the union, love them enough to release them. This was at a time when it was increasingly dangerous to be known as a believer and many would be fearful of staying in a relationship with a Christian.
Beyond that issue there is the issue of innocence and purity. Paul raises the question of desire and lust and makes the statement that it is better to marry than burn.
I lived my teenage years through the sixties and early seventies and also became filled with the Spirit during the Charismatic Renewal in this same time frame. The world pulled in one direction and the desire to do what was right in God's eyes pulled in another but even here the image of Christ prevailed.
In the Garden, Christ knowing what lay ahead earnestly prayed, “if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” When the time came and the innocent Jesus was brought before His accusers, His love for us was fixed and resolute. He chose the path of love for us.
3. Where is my priority?
Paul speaks about where our heart is focused. The husband wants to please his wife, the wife wants to please her husband. Into this mix we need to blend our duty towards God and realise that from other scriptures, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
As one half of a married couple I have a huge responsibility to love and nurture my other half and, together we must always make God our number one priority.
My thoughts keep returning to Jesus who faced so many temptations through His life but kept His heart set on the things of the Father and made us His priority so that when He comes again as the Christ, He will be able to claim us as His eternal Bride.
Final thoughts:
We sometimes feel uncomfortable with what we see as rules and regulations. Paul gives us these guidelines but we need to stop looking at them as an imposition and realise that love, true love is not a transient emotion but is an eternal value that we choose to live by.
Posted in 1 Corinthians