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Here's our text for Sunday, June 10, 2007:
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Can you tell Paul the Apostle had been a lawyer before being a saint? For the full deal come hear the message this Sunday, but here's the skinny on what Paul is saying.
Don't get divorced JUST because your partner is not a believer in Jesus as Lord, or even (my words, not Paul's), because you like to camp and they like Marriotts; they like steak and you are a vegan; you think the two of you are "incompatible" (we're all incompatible at some level); "they" don't make you happy anymore. News flash! It's not "their" job to make you happy...that's your own! In other words, never break the marriage vows lightly.....because any time you do, it's SIN.
So what are we to do if we feel the joy of our marriage is fading? First, a big DO NOT DO: Do not take your marriage woes to the guys or gals at the plant or office, especially if those guys and gals have their own marriage woes to gripe about. All you'll end up with in most cases from that kind of conversation is the name of a lawyer someone else used to blow their own marriage off the planet.
Instead, so long as real abuse of some kind is not being acted out against you or your children, read verse 14. Learn how to deal with things and to love the Christian partner who by your example ultimately wins your partner to your belief in Christ, or you learn to go camping at least once a year with your outdoorsy partner (marriage IS all about sacrifice.....each for the other).
If there IS abuse going on again DO NOT go to the lunchroom counseling session with your grief. Talk with your pastor, a Christian professional counselor, or another believer who you know won't just gripe or lead you away from God's plan for your marriage.
And that part at the end of verse 14 where Paul says it's all about the kids? Well, it is about the kids.....YOU are one of God's kids, right? It's all about YOU staying right with the Lord so your spouse, and children, can see what a peaceful home really can look like!
Come join us on Sunday for "The Rest of the Message!"
Pastor Ken
NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, all Bible verses quoted in this website are from the New International Version (NIV). Any words from those verses that are in "red" are words spoken by Jesus.
Pastor Ken sends a Weekly Newsletter that includes his devotional message for the week and an update of the current happenings at Hope Church. If you would like to receive his newsletter, just click below and he'll add your email address to his list of subscribers.