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Principles
Governing Marriage
–
First Corinthians Seven –
In First Corinthians seven Paul answered some of
the matters about which these brethren had questioned him. (I Corinthians 7:1)
The Holy Spirit used Paul to write about both married life and single life. In
studying this chapter we must be careful to observe that part of what was
written grew out of what Paul called the "present distress." (I
Corinthians 7:26)
First Corinthians seven begins
with the words "It is good for a man not to touch a woman." (I
Corinthians 7:1) This was not a statement Paul made but rather the statement he
was responding to. They had asked Paul if it is best for people not to marry.
Paul's view was that because of the present distress that these brethren would
be better off not to seek a change in their marital status. However, Paul
viewed marriage as God-ordained and perfectly appropriate for Christians.
Paul also dealt with the
difficult question of divorce. He said that Christians should stay married. He
especially taught that a Christians should not divorce their unbelieving
spouses. A Christian can have a sanctifying influence on the family. Paul
proved that changing your status concerning circumcision or slavery does not change
your spiritual status.
In these areas Paul wanted it understood that it was not a choice between good and
evil but between good and better.
Concerning the married life – I Corinthians 7:1-9: Paul was questioned as to whether people
should even marry at all. He begins, "Now I will answer the questions that you asked in
your letter. You asked, "Is it best for people not to marry?" (1
Corinthians 7:1)
Celibacy was not a command of
God. He had said, "be fruitful and multiply and
fill the earth." (Genesis 1:28) Marriage is the answer to the problem of
immorality. Paul wrote that "to avoid fornication, let every man have his
own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." (I Corinthians 7:2)
In our age of open immorality Paul's instructions still fit, let each man have
his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
Marriage is to be a permanent
relationship. We must put the "till death you do part" back into
marriage. Marriage is not to be a polygamous relationship. Marriage is a
wonderful partnership where mutual needs are met. (I Corinthians 7:3-4) Paul
realized that celibacy is not for everyone. "I say therefore to the
unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they
cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." (I
Corinthians 7:8-9) Paul saw that being single has some advantages but that
being single is not for everyone.
Concerning
behavior for the married – I Corinthians 7:10-16: Paul instructed people to stay married. He said,
"Let not the wife depart from her husband." (I Corinthians 7:10)
Christians may have problems but they have to be committed to each other and to
their marriage. The church has to be a place where hurting families can find
help. We must remember the words of the Lord, "What therefore God hath
joined together, let not man put asunder." (Matthew 19:6) Inspiration also
said, "But and if she depart, let her remain
unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away
his wife." (I Corinthians 7:11) Sadly divorce might be unavoidable for
some Christians. In the case where no adultery is involved the only two
possibilities are restoration of the broken marriage or remaining single.
Some Christians are married to
unbelievers. The Bible warns against Christians marrying non-Christians. We
should marry only those that will help us get to heaven. At
Concerning
God's call – I Corinthians 7:17-24: The Bible teaches that we should be content in whatever situation we
are in. Paul said, "As the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk.
And so ordain I in all churches." (I Corinthians 7:17) Whatever your
circumstances may be you should learn to be content. "It is possible to be
a Christian within any social strata. You do not have to be poor to be a
Christian. You do not have to be rich to be a Christian. You do not have to be
single or married, free or a slave to be a Christian."
It does not make you less
spiritual to be either circumcised or uncircumcised. The same is true about
married or unmarried. If you are married you can serve God faithfully; if you
are un-married the same is true. If you are free you can serve as a faithful
Christian; but a slave can also serve God. Let us remember that God is in control
of every situation. Let us approach life from the standpoint that God can use
me where I am! Every Christian is valuable because we are bought with a price;
the precious blood of Jesus.
Concerning being single
or remarried – I Corinthians 7:25-40: The present distress lead Paul to
believe that being single was preferred to marriage at that time. There was sever persecution and being single would make it easier to
deal with such. Those that are single need to be content and to realize that
they can render a great service to God. The single person misses lots of joy,
but also misses some pain. Divorce, disappointment and death of a mate do not
have to be dealt with by singles. Jesus did not tell everyone to marry or to
remain single and neither did Paul. Happiness depends upon your relationship
with God, not upon your marriage status.
Inspiration also deals with the
matter of remarriage of widows. (I Corinthians 7:39-40) Marriage is to last
until the death of the spouse. When you are single you have the choice to marry
or stay single. When you marry you no longer have that choice. If remarriage is
a part of their life the Christian widow or widower should only marry another
Christian.
Will you allow Jesus to
control you life whether you are single or married? To become a Christian you
must hear the gospel (Romans
- - - - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer List:
2. Sympathy Expressed: Our
love and sympathy is expressed to Kathy Bozeman and her family in the death of
her grandmother, Minnie Norrell.
3. Please Pray For: The
following people are serving in
4. Birthdays: October
28th
John Reynolds, November 4th Tiera Nall, and
November 10th Pam Till.
5. A Note From Lisa Bagents: I would like to get everyone at
6. Fall Party: Our fall
parties have been a great success. This year the party will be November 10th
at
7. Doris Taylor Lunch List:
Can you provide lunch for Sister Doris Taylor? If so please sign the list.
Thank you!
8. Thank You: A “BIG”
thank you to Stacey and Patricia Harrell and their children for hosting the
“Trunk of Treats.” It was a great success. Thanks also to all that helped make
it fun for our children.
9. Pray For Our Work In
10. The Reporter: “The
Reporter” can be seen on our web-site or you can receive it by e-mail. Send
e-mail request to: wschurchofchrist@camelliacom.com. If you receive the
Reporter by mail and would be willing to receive the e-mail version we would be
grateful as postage is so expensive. The
website address is: http:\\www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org.
11. Radio Programs:
Remember to hear our programs and tell others to listen. Sunday: 95.9 at
12.
Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a)
November 4-6 – Gospel Meeting – Wald Church of Christ – Speaker
Donnie Hilliard – Time Sunday Bible Study 10:00, morning Worship 11:00 and
evening Worship 2:00 and weeknights 7:30. (b)
November 4-7 – Gospel Meeting – Century Church of Christ, Century,
A Look In The
Mirror
Our society
is addicted to “reality.” I guess it started a good while back with crime shows
like Cops and Real TV. Then we made the
switch to relationship shows like The
Bachelor(ette). It seems that nothing is too
sacred or outlandish for people to make a reality television show about. There
is even one now that consists of two families swapping mothers/wives for a week
(if this isn’t evidence that our nation’s family values are out of whack, I
don’t know what is). The lure of these shows is the fascination we have with
seeing “real” people in “real” situations…seeing who they REALLY are! Yeah
right! With cameras in their face and the world watching, how real do you think
these people are being? Reality or not,
the key word is “show.” Do we ever put on a show for others? What is the truth about who you are? What if
everyone you know was able to look in your mirror and see exactly what you
see…who you really are? (James 1:23-25).
How would
your friends react? Would your Christian friends be shocked at the person you
are in secret? Would your non-Christian friends be shocked to find that you are
a Christian at all? Are you the kind of person who “observes himself [in the
mirror], goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was”? (James
1:24).
Most
importantly, what do you see when you look in the mirror of truth? Perhaps you
yourself are fooled into seeing something that’s not true (II Thessalonians
The REAL
you peeks out when no one is looking (Mama always said). And the REAL you is
determined by your actions…not by your intentions. Make your reality pleasing
to God by obeying His will.
-
- - - Darrell Powell
-
The way to
keep a body from being a busybody is to keep the body busy.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
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