First Corinthians 7:1-14
Paul continues to address issues of sexual immorality in the Corinthian church. Apparently he has received some questions from Corinth (7:1) and now is answering them.
The first issue surrounds marriage, and whether a Christian man should marry. Personally, I am glad I am married and really enjoy my wife and family. I think Paul's perspective is different. First of all, he is completely married to the Gospel. So, he has no use for sexual activity at all. A very noble gesture. Yet, I readily admit that I fall among the "weak" who need to be married in order to fulfill the proper mode of sexual purity. Paul, though, feels no such passion. He is thinking only about the cross. Now, if I could channel some of my random energies and bodily passions into spiritual pursuits, what could God do through me then? Paul covered two continents on foot and by boat, started a multitude on churches, and preached the Gospel in Asia Minor, Rome, and possibly Spain. WOW!
Secondly, he is speaking to a group of people who have a very different perspective on physical pleasure, and he is attempting to re-channel their thinking away from selfish pleasure to selfless pleasure. Thus, sex is about pleasing your partner, not pleasing yourself. It is also about fulfilling you God given duties, not pleasing yourself. However, being ever so practical, if you are going to burn with lust, God has provided a way to handle it--take advantage of it!
Part of marital problems occur when couple intimacy breaks down and the sexual bond is not available when needed. Communication and intimacy are essential to a good sex life. They also require a more selfless approach to the relationship. Are you ready to sacrifice your personal pride and desires for a better sex life? That's the Christian way: self-sacrifice leads to greater reward and personal fulfillment.
Tell me: what do you think of Paul's divorce comments? And what about a believing spouse staying with an unbeliever to sanctify the marriage and the children? What does he mean?
The first issue surrounds marriage, and whether a Christian man should marry. Personally, I am glad I am married and really enjoy my wife and family. I think Paul's perspective is different. First of all, he is completely married to the Gospel. So, he has no use for sexual activity at all. A very noble gesture. Yet, I readily admit that I fall among the "weak" who need to be married in order to fulfill the proper mode of sexual purity. Paul, though, feels no such passion. He is thinking only about the cross. Now, if I could channel some of my random energies and bodily passions into spiritual pursuits, what could God do through me then? Paul covered two continents on foot and by boat, started a multitude on churches, and preached the Gospel in Asia Minor, Rome, and possibly Spain. WOW!
Secondly, he is speaking to a group of people who have a very different perspective on physical pleasure, and he is attempting to re-channel their thinking away from selfish pleasure to selfless pleasure. Thus, sex is about pleasing your partner, not pleasing yourself. It is also about fulfilling you God given duties, not pleasing yourself. However, being ever so practical, if you are going to burn with lust, God has provided a way to handle it--take advantage of it!
Part of marital problems occur when couple intimacy breaks down and the sexual bond is not available when needed. Communication and intimacy are essential to a good sex life. They also require a more selfless approach to the relationship. Are you ready to sacrifice your personal pride and desires for a better sex life? That's the Christian way: self-sacrifice leads to greater reward and personal fulfillment.
Tell me: what do you think of Paul's divorce comments? And what about a believing spouse staying with an unbeliever to sanctify the marriage and the children? What does he mean?
Labels: First Corinthians, marriage, sexual purity
posted by Randy Rogers at
8:23 AM
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