Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Apr 9, 2024 - A Spouse's Influence”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsA Spouse’s Influence
Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:12-16
Paul is still giving marriage advice. He has encouraged married couples (presumably those married to Christians) to stay married, but now he writes to “the rest”: “To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her”(1 Cor 7:12). Paul gives his personal counsel (“I, not the Lord”) to disciples married to unbelievers. He encourages them to remain married to such people rather than reflexively divorcing because of the difference in beliefs. He also acknowledges that the unbeliever’s consent matters (“and she consents to live with him”) and complicates matters.
What if the unbelieving party is unwilling to stay married? “But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to be peace”(1 Cor 7:15). If the unbelieving mate leaves, there is little to be done. The Christian is “not enslaved” to such a person. Paul seems to envision us forcing ourselves on a mate who refuses to have us. Such a course is not required; Paul simply says “let it be so.” He does not address such a person’s marital options now (as in v. 11), but wants them to have “peace” about the undesired situation.
Paul’s logic is intriguing. Christians should stay married to non-Christians because there is tremendous potential for influence. “For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy”(1 Cor 7:14). And again, “how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”(1 Cor 7:16). The precise manner in which we make our spouses “holy” is unclear, but the point is obvious: Christians bless their families. We show them a higher way to live, we give ourselves to them in love, and we may even save them. No one will influence us quite as powerfully as our families. This is a call to be a sanctifying influence on our spouses and children.
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One Thing to Think About: Am I influencing my mate for good?
One Thing to Pray For: Strong marriages that bless both parties
