March 22, 2014 (Joshua 12-14; 1 Corinthians 7)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “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.” 1 Corinthians 7:15 NLT
Observation: With all the sexual immorality that was taking place in Corinth Paul was forced to address the many problems it caused. No doubt sexual sin had led some folks into marriages that God never ordained. Unplanned pregnancy or simply the guilt of having sex out of wedlock led some people to enter into marriage unaware of how difficult it would become in the future. If God doesn’t put the relationship together it will be very difficult to ever make it work. Yet what God has joined together let not man put asunder. Paul was not encouraging divorce, he was warning of the difficulty marriage brings. A couple properly brought together by God will become an unstoppable team for His glory, yet a mismatched couple constantly fighting will tear each other down. When two Christians are bound together by God in the Holy bounds of matrimony they have a responsibility to submit to God and each other. This submission, in this order, will provide a stable foundation for a lasting marriage that pleases God.
Application: The Bible teaches us not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers; I believe this is true in marriage as well. If two people are not on the same page spiritually, they will hardly stay on the same page physically. Adultery is the leading cause of divorce in America. Amazingly, adultery is also the leading cause of divorce among church people. It seems far too many people are entering into marriage with a divorce in mind right from the start. This should not be so among Christians. Christians should earnestly pray and seek God for the mate He has chosen for them. Patiently wait on the Lord to provide you with the very best, don’t settle for less to fulfill a present pressing desire. If you’re single be happy in the Lord. Serve Him with all your might and He will give you the desires of your heart. Stop focusing on what you don’t have and look at all you do have. It’s better to serve God as a single person than to struggle with the hardships of an ungodly union that draws you away from His presence.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the godly spouse You have given me. Thank You for the union You’ve created in Dawn and me. Truly You have ordained our marriage and have blessed us immensely. You have placed us together as help mates for one another and filled our hearts with love and desire for each other. Protect our marriage and keep our desire for each other strong. Use our marriage to glorify Your name, in Jesus name, Amen!