Monday's Message: Hurdle or Helpmeet?

Hurdle or Helpmeet?

“But to the rest speak I, not the Lord” this statement indicates for us that this issue had never been dealt with in Scripture before, not that this is the word of Paul rather than God.  Being “born again” is also a New Testament revelation.  When we come across statements like this, in the Bible, it is important that we study to understand the context and the meaning.  If we are not diligent in such matters we may be led astray.

Now, I would like to switch gears and get into the message from this passage.  Many people accept Christ as their Savior later in life; often times, it is even after they have already been married.  This, as many could testify, can cause some friction in the home.  If one spouse is saved and serving God and the other is not, this is a house divided; however, this is a fantastic opportunity for the one who is serving God to show the other the truth through a Godly testimony.  On the other hand, it may also be a powder keg just waiting to blow up!

It is God’s desire that the Gospel enter a marriage through one spouse, and then as a result the other accept Him as well.  If you are saved and your spouse is not: pray for him or her, allow your testimony to do the majority of the preaching, treat your spouse the way the Bible teaches you should.  The things I have just listed will be very difficult to do, and your spouse may mock you and criticize you for it.  Stop for a moment, and think about the alternative.  If you do not do all that you can to win your spouse, hell will be their eternity.  Sadly, for some believers, this is the cross you will have to bear.  I cannot begin to imagine the heartache and the difficulty this sort of home life presents, but I do know that we have a Heavenly Father whose understanding is infinite, and that He is well aware of the emotions and feelings associated with rejection and false accusations. 

I Corinthians 7:12- 17:

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 

13  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 

14  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 

15  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 

16  For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? 

17  But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.