1Corinthians 7:18-40 1Corinthians 7: 15b. “…God has called us to peace.” 1Corinthians 7:22. “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.” 1Corinthians 7:24. “Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, there abide with God.”
WELL-BEING. Behind all the choices and consequences of marriage is the call of God. He is the third party in a Christian marriage. This is the “third cord” that makes the bond difficult to break. His desire for the welfare of His people is clearly presented.
CHRISTIANS MARRIED TO CHRISTIANS In the service of God, the husband-wife relationship can hinder us from certain types of labor. In other types of labor, it is a definite asset. One needs to be assured as to where and to what God has called me. Human beings have been made by God to reproduce, but only within the context of one man and one woman for life. Each is to have their “own wife” or “own husband.” Each is to be sensitive to the other with respect. Each person in a marriage passes over the power or right to their own body to the other, so that it might remain sanctified to the spouse. Satan will tempt in any way possible, particularly sexually, to turn one away from what God intends. Abstinence in marriage is not a command; it is a choice we make for a short time. We are to do what is suitable in the way God has gifted us. To sacrifice oneself to the Lord in singleness is not essential to the Christian life. However, it does enable one to serve God without distraction. Self-control sexually dictates whether marriage is to be considered. When you make vows to each other in marriage, keep those vows! If separation occurs, reconciliation is the necessary step to bring normality back to the marriage.
CHRISTIANS MARRIED TO UNBELIEVERS Stay with your unsaved spouse. The power of influence of the believer sets aside the unsaved spouse and the children for God’s blessing. God’s intention is not that a family live in a state of continual conflict. If the unsaved one desires to leave, let him/her leave. Hopefully, the unsaved one will come to Christ. I am to remain in the role and situation I was in when the Lord called me. I am not required to forsake the relationships of my life before salvation. Nor am I required to leave the position or routine I was in when saved. Christian liberty sets me free from sin’s bondage to be free in Christ from the place and situation I was in before God saved me. I am to be a responsible person to myself, others, and to God.
CHRISTIANS AND UNMARRIED CHILDREN I have a responsibility to carefully teach my children about the choices and consequences of marriage. I should explain the blessing of serving God in singleness and the commitment one makes when they marry. I must recognize the sexual needs of my child and not force my aspirations upon him/her. Marriage is for life, and I must make that clear. If one of them dies, I can explain that the other is free to marry again. When the criteria for marriage “in the Lord” are met, there is every reason to expect God’s blessing upon that union. God ordained Christian marriage, and He is committed to the institution He established at the beginning.
“O God of all grace and compassion: I thank You for making things clear in Your word when it comes to the essentials of life. The problems arise when we look beyond Your intention to what men try to say is the way of marriage. It seems to me that You made it clear by saying, “God has called us to peace.” In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”