| Day 81 Part 3: Marriage, Liberty, and Idolatry |
|
| |
 Marriage
Chapter 7 of 1Corinthians is some of Paul's more interesting teaching on marriage. I'm not going to go into most of that. I would like to hear people's thoughts on verse 14 though. 7:14 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.
What does this mean? Especially the part about the children being holy. Thoughts?
The instructions that Paul gives in chapter 7 seem to stem from some outside event or circumstances. In verse 26 he says, "...in view of the present distress..." What distress is he referring to?
Liberty
8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one. Paul makes the point in chapter 8 that we need to be careful with our freedom. We are free to eat what we want, but we shouldn't eat something that we know will make a brother/sister stumble. I think the real key to this is to know your brothers and sisters in Christ. Know what their weaknesses are so that you can avoid being a stumbling block to them. If you are the more mature Christian you should be trying to build up your fellows in Christ, not causing them to fall. However, I don't believe that the "weaker" Christian should use their stumbling blocks as excuses to not grow. Their limits need to be pushed or else they will fall into legalism. What do you think?
Chapter 9 is all about Paul's rights as an apostle and what he could rightfully claim from those he was in authority over. These verses are of particular interest to me. 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation [of the gospel] is committed unto me. Anyone have any thoughts on what this might mean?
Idolatry
Chapter 10 is a warning to not fall into idolatry and other various sins like Israel was prone to do. 10:7 Neither be ye idolaters, as [were] some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. We have to "take heed" so that we will not fall. Verse 13 tells us that there is no temptation we can't escape. God has given us a way out! We don't have to fall into continual sin. "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." What is sin if not idolatry? At its root, isn't every sin worship of someone or something other than God? What do you think? |
|
Follow this blog
