Continued form Part 3...
God desires that everyone be saved (1 Tim. 2: 4), and He made that a possibility for all of us on the cross (1 John 2: 2). Never the less, Luke 12: 52 reveals that within families, there will be those who are saved and are (or will be) in Heaven, and there are those who will go to Hell because of the spiritual choices that such individuals choose to make. "Hell" is a general term that refers to two separate places of suffering. One is the Torments Section of Hades where ALL the souls of unbelievers have gone throughout the course of human history. The Torments section of Hades is not for the purpose of securing the salvation that was not received while on Earth, but is a holding tank in which the departed souls suffer and await the final judgment and sent to the permanent lake of fire. The second is the lake of fire. The second is the lake of fire. At the appointed time, all the souls suffering in Hades will be brought out, judged, and sent to the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 13, 15). The lake of fire is NOT a place of extermination, but a place where the souls of unbelievers will spend ALL of eternity, separated from God and the environment of God.
As of the Church Age, an "unbeliever" is ANYONE who chooses to reject (disbelieve) in a presentation of the TRUE Gospel Message. Souls that never reached the age/stage of moral accountability go to Heaven (2 Sam. 12: 23). I believe, that souls who, due to circumstances beyond their own control, that never hear (or given the opportunity to hear) the Gospel will be judged on the extent to which God revealed Himself to them (Gen. 15: 6). What Scripture (John 3: 16, 18) makes clear is that those who hear (or given the opportunity to hear) the true Gospel and believe it are either Heaven bound or in Heaven awaiting the Rapture. Those who leave this world in the capacity of an unbeliever are equally assured of an eternity separated from Go in the lake of fire. Note that this Gospel Message link has provided you with such an opportunity. What you do or don't do with the opportunity is between you and Lord, but from this point forward, you are without excuse.
Matthew 5; 19 make it clear that to whatever extent each one of us learns and applies the Word of God to our lives AND teach others (by word and/or example) plays a major role in determining one's reaching the status of greatness is Heaven and in the world to come. In addition to the eternal life that ALL believers receive, some believers will also receive specific rewards and privileges that they will enjoy for all of eternity that others believers will forfeit 1 Cor. 3: 15.
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The individual and familial plan that God has in mind for any one of us can involve receiving great social status and material prosperity (Job 1:3). On the other hand, His plan can also involve the temporary (Job. 1; 15, 17, 19 - Job 42: 12) or permanent ( Heb. 11: 35- 38) loss or the giving away (Mark 10: 21) of such things (Heb. 12: 24, 25). Via marriage, one can be called to experience and share the prosperity OR the losses that the plan of God requires of one spouse.
For the advancing disciple, his/her primary concern is that he/she is doing (or not doing) what the Lord requires of him/her. For the advancing disciple, the gain AND the deprivation of prosperity he/she encounters at any given time or phase are BOTH (Job 1:21/Job 2:10) parts of the plan of God. It is for this reason that the advancing disciple can enjoy the prosperity without any qualms of conscience, and yet easily let go of it if/when called to do so.
For the weaker believer, the loss and disappointment of what the plan of God calls for can be the reason that he/she abandons the life of discipleship, spending much of the rest of his/her post salvation in bitterness and anger towards God the things of God. In this, the devil is well-pleased.
When the partners of a marriage are not on the same page when it comes to where the priorities are in the financial realm, there is going to be conflict. This scenario intensifies if one takes the position that the more he/she provides, the more "say" that he/she has in where and how the finances are going to be spent. Christian marriage does not issue stocks, with the major "stockholder" (provider) having more say/control on that basis. The husband/father in a Christian marriage has the "last say" in ALL matters (Eph. 5: 23, 24).
The things of God are NOT for sale ay ANY price (Acts 8: 20). Marital authority is a thing of God. When a wife who greatly contributes to the day to day finances of the marriage is called upon to submit to the authority of her husband over a matter in which she strongly disagrees, it will often disclose if whatever financial contribution on the part of the wife had truly been (or will be) an act of extending a "helping" hand or an investment for self gain. The Christian wife is NOT required to contribute ANYTHING, but neither does such "help" change the divine order of marital authority if she does.
A Christian husband and a Christian wife will show mutual appreciation for whatever help his/her mate CHOOSES to do that "helps" the other fulfill his/her individual area of individual responsibility in a Christian marriage. Societal changes do take place, but the marital roles and the individual accountability (to God) have NOT changed. They are in full force throughout the entire dispensation of the Church Age for which they were established (Matt. 5: 18). The Church Age began in the approx. year 30 AD and will remain until the Rapture (1Thess .4: 17) has taken place.
With spiritual discernment, an advancing disciple can see the door of opportunity that the devil will use when "Christians" agree to deviate from the divine order that glorifies God in Christian marriage in order to receive individual or mutual "gain", here in the devil's world. The devil is both willing and able (Luke 4: 6) to bless anything or anyone that is willing to deny God the glory that He would otherwise receive. The glorification of God in the marital realm is a great focal point for the daily combat (Eph. 6) in the spiritual realm.
The individual believer and the married couple are BOTH accountable for how ALL the tangible assets that he/she or they receive under the principles of The Doctrine Of Stewardship..
Be it modest or one of great wealth, each home still runs an average monthly expense account that must be satisfied if one's socio-economic status is to be retained. If what an advancing disciple considers doing (or not doing) to either obtain or retain material possessions or social status requires him/her to compromise ANY spiritual principle, the bells and alarms in his/her edified soul structure (should) come on loud and strong. Ignoring these signals invites divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6). The Self-centered fallen nature in Man will do all it can to turn down the volume of this alarm system of the soul structure to the point that it cannot even be heard by our spiritual ears.
The reason that the devil endorses the women's liberation movement is that it attacks to primary area(s) of authority. One is the Church, and the other is marriage. In marriage, not only is principle of marital authority, but so are the finances. With issues of authority and/or finances under attack, marital harmony is not going to be a realistic expectation for anyone who wishes to glorify God via Christian marriage.
In Christian marriage, the responsibility for providing for the logistical needs (not the wants) of the family is that of the husband/father. At the same time, it is the corresponding function of the wife/mother to manage the home within the amount of money/means that the husband can provide. Discipleship ALWAYS costs the disciple something. This has never been so obvious than in the financial sacrifices called for in the present day American society, where what started out to be "extra" income on the part of a working wife-mother has become a "necessity" if one is to keep up with the neighbors who have rejected the concepts of Christian Marriage.
For the Christian husband, "... if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim. 5: 6 NASB)." As for the Christian wife, her priorities are to, "...love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands...(Why?), that the word of God may not be dishonored (Titus 2: 5 NASB italics mine)."
Note that, providing the matters of the home are not compromised, Scripture does NOT say that either the Christian husband or the Christian wife can not work or engage in activity outside of the home, with our without the company of one's spouse. The Doctrine of Stewardship address such things as the usage of our personal time and finances. Time apart can be healthy. Even in a large garden, there is the need for individual time and space for the individual plant to reach its own potential. The issue is rather or not the advancing disciple is compromising his or her primary role at home in order to work or to engage in other activity outside of the home.
Satan knows that money and /or the love for it (or the things it can buy) can destroy a Christian marriage. Satan hates anything that brings glory to the Lord Jesus Christ and has a plan in mind for its destruction. The destruction of a Christian marriage is a highly valued satanic objective. Dangling money (or things that it can buy) in the eyes of a malcontent is a common tactic in the realm of spiritual combat. Flaunting the "prosperity" of the ungodly is another. Too much time or money in the hands of an undisciplined believer can be a great weapon in the hands of the devil.
There will come a day when a "compromised Christian marriage" and the erosion of the place and influence of God in the home will be called into account (Heb. 12:6), be it in this life or in the life to come (Rom. 14: 12). The marriage vows (expressed or implied) were not only made to one's spouse, but to God. Compromises might "work" between the human partners of the marriage, but does NOT excuse the husband or the wife from their divinely appointed responsibilities and functions that they vowed to accept the day they chose to entertain Christian marriage. I place quotation marks around the phrase, "compromised Christian marriage", because it is a oxymoron. A marriage cannot be "compromised" and qualify as a "Christian" marriage.
As in any other area of discipleship, Christian marriage is relatively easy to execute as long as one is in agreement with what it requires it. It is when we are challenged to do (or not to do) what Christian marriage calls for that we do not like that our metal and vows are put to the test.
I do not dispute that a compromised marriage can "work" for those who are happy with the alterations. But to make personal or corporate "gains" here on Earth at the price of losing eternal rewards for glorifying God is a poor investment.
There is nothing wrong with husbands help the wives fulfill their assigned (Titus 2; 5) domestic functions and responsibilities. The "more involved" fathers is one of the "good" things that God has brought about in the otherwise deteriorating structure of the American family. Equally so, there is nothing wrong with a wife choosing to assist the husband in fulfilling his assigned function and responsibility of providing the logistical needs for the home (1 Timothy 5: 8).
There is nothing wrong with providing such mutual aid, as long as both the husband and wife recognize that "help" does not change who God holds accountable for what, and more importantly, that this does NOT change the marital system of authority. Christian wives NEVER tell their husbands to do anything.
The compromised husband/father will see the day that he will regret having compromised this key element in Christian marriage, and may even come to despise all that was "gained in the process. The Christian woman who disrespects marital authority will see the day when much of what she thought she had to offer to the home can be so easily replaced by either the man himself, or by persons or agencies who provide domestic or child services if he can afford it. Worse than that, it is when a man is disrespected and not acknowledged that many men will seek other persons and other activities in which his input and contribution will be respected and acknowledged.
Each one will wonder why that after "all he/she has done", his/her spouse would be willing to risk it all for some insignificant activity outside of the bounds of marriage.
The wife/mother will wonder why the disrespected husband doesn't want to spend as much time with the out-of-control "monster" that he let develop, and why the observing children take the position that her authority can be challenged or circumvented when they follow suit and assume the right to circumvent authority when they disagree with it.
The gun shy or "castrated" husband will shy away from his leadership role and then wonder why he is not respected. The mark of a Christian "man" is not how he looks in the mirror or by much weight he can bench press, but how well he can learn and take a stand for what it right at all costs. Being second guessed and ridiculed for making the wrong decisions comes along with being the ONE in the position of ultimate authority.
Being told, "No!", and accepting it without grumbling and disputing (Phil.2: 14) goes along with the ONE in a position of subordination.
The primary "mark" of a Christian woman is not her overt beauty. If she lives long enough, such things will be exchanged for the realities of old age. The mark of a Christian wife is the ever increasing strength of a quiet and gentle spirit (1 Pet. 3: 4) coupled with the grace and the application of her knowledge of the Word of God (2 Pet. 3: 18).
The mark(s) of a Christian husband and a Christian wife is that each one knows where his/her place and functions are within the marriage, and has respect and consideration for his/her spouse. It is by doing so that each one glorifies the third Partner in Christian marriage, the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is true that a lot of Biblical emphasis is placed on the subordination (Gen. 3: 16/Eph. 5: 24) of the wife, but it is equally true that the (good or bad) attitude she exhibits is what generally determines the tranquility (or lack of it) within the home environment. In order for God's design for a Christian marriage to function harmoniously, it calls for strong spiritual leadership on the part of the husband, and voluntary subordination on the part of the wife, or as Phil. 2: 14 NASB puts it, "Do ALL things without grumbling or disputing ."
Christian husbands want to be respected as the "head of the house", but tend to weaken their own position by compromising in order to avoid the heat that goes along with being the one in charge. Christian wives enjoy the traditional benefits that the position offers, but find it difficult to submit to the authority of the husband in "e-v-e-r-y-t-h-I-n-g (Eph. 5: 24), especially "without grumbling and disputing (Phil. 2: 14) when they are not in agreement with what is going on.
The Christian husband is under the divine authority of the third Partner (God) in a Christian marriage. The Christian wife, in addition to being under the same divine authority, is furthermore under the delegated authority of her husband. The "hostile (Romans 8: 7 NASB) nature in ALL of us will prompt us to question and rebel against authority and what authority has to say. To rebel against ANY form of legitimate authority is to sin against God (Romans 13: 1).
Even though the husband and the wife may be in agreement, God holds ultimately holds the husband responsible for all that goes on under his roof. This was true in the case of Adam and Eve, and is the case of all men who enter into Christian marriage, here in the Church Age.
The woman (Eve) had been deceived, and was led (by the devil) to believe that what she was going to do would improve things for she and Adam. Adam was in a position to have known better, having been clearly instructed (Gen. 2: 17) BEFORE the woman even came into the picture (Gen. 2: 22). To this day, it remains to be the responsibility of the husband to learn (prior to the need - Matt. 7: 24-27) what God has to say and to lead the marriage and the home accordingly. As Hosea put it, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4: 6 NASB), and James adds that knowing, but not doing what the Word of God requires accomplishes NOTHING (James 1: 22/ James 2: 26).
It is generally true that a happy wife means a happy life, but establishing momentary peace at the price of long term misery is NOT a wise investment. Like a child who will test the system from time to time, those in positions of subordination need to hear and to understand what, "No!", means.
Sulking, the "silent" treatment (something that veteran husbands may come to look forward to), moaning, groaning, complaining, bad mouthing to third parties, withholding affection, and ridicule are common means of rebelling against marital authority. Rebelling against authority is a sin. A wife who does not demonstrate subordination to her husband's authority will often find her parental authority being challenged by observing children.
It is the Christian husband's role, to set the rules of the home and to impose discipline when the rules are violated. "Rules" are not received with open arms by the "hostile" Romans 7:8 sin nature that is in all of us. It is the Christian wife's role (among other things) to show respect for God. She does so, in part, by respecting marital authority by "... do(ing) ALL things without grumbling and complaining (Phil. 2: 14 NASB). How well a wife complies with the authority of her husband will go alone way in establishing and maintaining the type of home environment that glorifies God.
The principle of reaping and sowing applies to marriage. One can not dance to the devil's tune and then expect the applause of God. The devil as a whole collection of "song books" that suggest, promote, and endorse alternatives to "Christian" marriage. For those with advanced spiritual discernment, such "songs" are played every day in the media and entertainment world. One is not going to hear much Bible Doctrine (if any) in most of the gab shows on the boob tube, radio, etc..
Husbands, fathers, and persons in positions of authority are portrayed as incompetent fools in much of the "comedy" and "sits-coms" that are viewed by millions every day. The concept of "challenging authority" did not originate with human race. It is as old as the angelic conflict in which the devil declared his independence and was determined to "do his own thing" independent of God (Isa. 14: 13).
The wife/mother who challenges marital authority will see the day that the children will follow suit and challenge her OWN parental authority, as well. After all (the rebellious teen will argue), if Mom can show disrespect and challenge the system of authority that God has established for the home, why can't the kids?
In any organization consisting of two or more human beings, ONE must have the final word and all others must comply. If there is no one who has the final say in any matter, then there is no one in change, leaving the agenda open for negotiation. Rebellion against ANY form of authority that God has established invites DIVINE discipline.
In frustration, believers often ask God (and others) why He isn't doing anything to get us out of the self-induced messes, when in fact what He is doing is disciplining (Heb. 12: 6) His children by simply allowing the seeds that we chose to sow to produce the very crop (results) that He warned us would take place. One cannot take the position that he/she was/is a "good" person (entitled to God's intervention) when he/she choose to live a life in disobedience to the "preparation" and "application" principles found in such passages as Matt. 7: 24-27.
The category of "Christians" that my heart goes out to are the one's who go through all the motions of "religion" on a regular basis, but because they are not being informed, or are not applying the information they do receive, have no answers to the spiritual challenges that life brings to the door of all of us.
A Christian husband will be disciplined (by God) for abusing his authority or neglecting his responsibilities.
The first woman was created for the primary benefit of the man (1Cor. 11: 9). This scenario, from divine viewpoint, has not changed. Although an equal partner in status, the wife was functionally placed under the marital authority of her husband who was (Gen. 3: 16) and is (Eph. 5: 24) to rule over her within the parameters of Christian Marriage. The Christian wife's parental and managerial authority are delegated functions that are subject to the ultimate control and responsibility of the husband. (Note that this principle applies to wives and not to ALL women. Each wife who entertains Christian marriage is subject to her husband. All women are not subject to all men.
As "ancient" as this principle may be, it was clearly (Eph. 5: 24) reiterated for Christian Marriage for the duration of the Church Age dispensation.
If a Christian man or women does not care to learn and/or apply the principles of Christian marriage, they are not interested in identifying and/or executing a MAJOR portion of the TRUE post salvation spiritual life. For the "Christian" husband and wife, the principles of Christian marriage are not options, they are commandments.
The principles of Christian marriage can appear to be one-sided, favoring the male partner, but there is another applicable verse that balances the scale:
"Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church as gave himself up for her (Eph. 5 25 NASB)."
Neither the Christian husband nor the Christian wife can afford to ignore the impacting principles of James 2: 10 when conducting self-examinations (1Cor. 13: 5). The mandates of Christian marriage are not suggestions, they are commandments.
"For whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become (stands as) guilty (as the one who has disobeyed all of them) of all (James 2: 10 NASB)."
"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate (love less) his own father and mother and wife/husband and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot by my disciple (Luke 14: 26 NASB)."
If the husband does not put the "pants " on, or the wife does, Christian Marriage is NOT being entertained.
Christian marriage was designed to function on a two-way street, with each human partner complimenting the assigned role and function of the other. Never the less, the failure of one human partner to fulfill his/her role is NOT just cause for the other partner to refuse to fulfill his/hers. Christian marriage calls for each human partner to identify what his/her role is and to fulfill it for the glory of God, regardless of if or how well the other human partner is fulfilling his/hers. It is when their is no reciprocal response from one's mate that the believer's commitment to his/her own role is put to the test. It is then that with the glory or dishonor of God hanging in the balance.
It can be a humbling experience for some to learn that much of what appears to have been done for the other mate, was actually done for the glory of the third (divine) Partner of the marriage. It's NOT all about YOU!
Most of us are familiar with the "Footsteps" tract that speaks of God carrying the believer through hard times. The same principle can be applied to the human partners of a marriage. Even if the immature or back-sliding believer NEVER comes around, the spiritually mature partner can glorify God in one of the most challenging environments (Christian marriage) on a day-to-day basis by doing what God requires of him/her. This can be one of the answers to the age old question of why one partner will be so willing to please a partner who offers little or nothing in return. Christian disciples are often portrayed as "fools" in the eyes of the world, but there is a a coming day when these "fools" will be deemed worthy of receiving rewards (1Cor. 3: 12-15) that others will not.
The 1 Cor. 3: 12-15 rewards are for the production of divine good, symbolized in the passage as silver, gold, and precious stones.
What went on or failed to go on) within the marital realm of a Christian will greatly impact the outcomes of this great event. Each and every day Christians who desire to entertain Christian Marriage will have ample opportunities to produce divine good as they apply the principles of Christian Marriage that brings glory to God.
Whenever a husband who does not receive respect of his wife, and/or when a wife does not feel appreciated, it presents a sure-fire recipe for marital discord. The grace and mercy of the divine Partner are without limitations, but even the most tolerant human partners can come to the point where enough is enough, and one must take a stand regardless of the outcome. Once the place and influence of the divine partner is set aside, and the two self-centered fallen natures of the human partners go toe to toe, conflict is humanly inevitable.
The (Titus 3: 5) "regenerated" spirit of a born again believer is Christ-centered and desires to please God in ALL areas of his/her life.. It must, however, contend with the fallen, self-centered nature that remains within him/herself and others ( Romans 8: 7). Fallen Man is by nature, "hostile (Romans 8: 7 NASB)", towards God and the things of God. The principles of Christian Marriage are among the "all areas" that the advancing disciple must address.
Christian wives will NEVER tell their husband to do anything, especially in the presence of other people. Christian wives will ask their husbands. When asked, the "Christian" husband is THEN called to take into full consideration, the immediate and long-term needs and desires of the wife. Wives, Christian or otherwise, might be surprised just how much of what she asks will be taken care of, as opposed to disrespecting her husband by trying to "tell" him what to do.
Christian marriage is a divine institution. NO institution can function without respect for authority. The test of one's respect for authority is NOT put to the test until things do NOT go the way the ones in subordinate positons wanted or expected.
In Christian marriage, GOD in the One who is in the position of ultimate authority, and the husband is the one who is in the position of functional and delegated authority. The one(s) in position(s) of authority MAY choose to do so, but do not have to explain themselves to subordinates. The old-fashioned, "Because I said so.", is all that a Christian in a subordinate position should need to hear.
Except when necessary to comply with an even higher level of authority, those is subordinate positions are obligated to "obey" the orders of anyone who is a position of higher authority than he/she. Rebelling against ANY legitimate form of authority is to rebel against God, the ultimate source of authority (Romans 13). When the one in a position of authority is wrong, that is a matter between that person and his/her superior to work out. The one and ONLY exception to this principle is when the subordinate is told to do (or not to do) something that he/she perceives to be sin. Taking whatever consequences there may be for disobeying an order is a part of the price that a person in a subordinate position takes on when making that decision on what he/she believes to be moral grounds. When the system of authority is functioning well, the last thing a person in a position of subordination should want to happen, is to be referred to a higher level of authority on a charge of insubordination.
Children, at least in past generations, knew that they were in deep trouble whenever Mom would say, "Just wait until your father comes home and hears about this...". It is the wise Christian to consider what the "Father" will have to say when they go Home and given an account (2Cor.5: 10?romans 14: 12) of how each one of us, among other things, handled our roles in Christian Marriage at the evaluation of deeds (1Cor. 3: 12-15). Will we receive a reward for having glorified God by having learned and applied the principles of Christian Marriage, or did we do things our way to please ourselves?
When a Christian wife, in the capacity of a mother, sets this example in the presence of her children, she reinforces the system of authority in her own home and her own parental authority as well. The option of divide and conquer should never be an option afforded to children. When a wife shows no respect for the authority of her husband in the presence of their children, it sets the stage for the children to challenge her own parental authority.
When the advancing disciple reaches the stage of spiritual maturity, he/she will obey the one in authority, "...without grumbling or disputing (Phil. 2: 14 NASB)."
Why? "... that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God beyond approach (criticism) in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you (should) appear as lights in the world (Phil 2: 15 NASB/italics mine)." Needless to say, a Christian marriage will stick out like a sore thumb in the times in which we are presently living.
Just imagine the benefits of a home where there was no rebellion (Rom. 13), grumbling, or disputing (Phil 2: 14 (NASB) ! Granted. such a home can never be established or maintained by self-centered human beings, but such a godly environment should be the objective of Christians who desire to glorify God in every aspect of their post salvation spiritual life.
Is the husband-to-be prepared to obey God and do ALL that God requires of in the capacity of a Christian husband? Is the wife to be prepared to obey her husband in "everything - Eph. 5: 24)? she is not ready for Christian marriage. These are the first two questions that should be asked in pre-marital classes that God would approve. If either partner can NOT answer YES to these issues, they should go no further until they can do so, if it is a Christian marriage that they desire to entertain.
Marriage can be challenging, but Christian marriage will not be possible without the enabling John 15:5 power that God supplies. Human beings have their limitations, God does not. There are likely going be times when the vows that an advancing disciple made to God is going to be the thread that holds the marriage together.
Two people can agree and function within many alternative forms of marriage or co-living arrangements. The devil and those who do his bidding will do he/they can to promote anything that would deny God the glory He receives when His children choose to do things His way. Unless the marriage includes God as the third and leading Partner, with BOTH human partners conforming to the roles and functions that Christian marriage requires, it is not a Christian Marriage. If a born again believer's marriage is not a "Christian" marriage, there is a LARGE void in his/her post salvation spiritual life. In this the devil is well-pleased.
The function of a pastor-teacher is to inform, not to conform others. Informing consists of making ALL of the relevant Scripture known, how to apply it, and the blessings or consequences for doing (or not doing) so. Once the information has been communicated, the responsibility of conforming is the recipients (Ezekiel 33: 1-9).
Teaching on the subject of Christian Marriage is one of those topics that initially draws a lot of attention, but in more cases than not, accurate teaching on this topic can easily "hit a nerve" or two along the way when one learns of or is reminded of what it takes to establish and maintain a "Christian" marriage.
In this study, it has been my goal to inform the recipients of what the, "...mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2: 16 NASB)" has to say about Christian Marriage. There are many alternative forms of marriage that both Christians and non-Christians by the millions will choose to entertain. These alternatives may "work well" (here on Earth) for those who engage in them, but such alternatives do NOT glorify God. It is the glory of God that is of highest priority on ALL that an advancing disciple entertains. Christian discipleship is a 24-7 lifestyle
Conforming to the likeness of Christ (Romans 8: 29/2 Cor. 3: 18) requires a free-will choice of the individual(s) involved. When an advancing disciple is presented with (or reminded of) a principle of doctrine that runs contrary to one's present thoughts, actions, or practices, he/she is faced with a challenge. He must either reject the new idea and hold to his/her former idea, or must make the necessary alterations that the new information requires.
What anyone does (or doesn't do) with the information that a pastor-teacher presents for the edification of believers is a matter between the recipient and the Lord. Pastor teachers are not to take it personal if the doctrine he presents is not accepted. Like a developing human being in the natural realm, some believers take a lot longer than others to get past the "milk" stage and become able to hold down the more solid food (1Cor. 3: 2). Some believers will agree in principle, but are NOT willing to make the (Luke 14: 26 )changes that the application of the doctrine require.
As a pastor-teacher, it is better to have people upset with you here on Earth, than to have it said at the (James 3: 1) pastoral evaluation that you knew the truth, but kept it from those who needed to hear it the most. If a believer chooses to please people over pleasing God, he has no business being behind a pulpit (Gal. 1: 10).
The "spineless" clergy of our day, being more concerned with their own popularity, political correctness and/or how much money is coming into the ministry, has opened the door to the, "... doctrines taught by demons (1 Tim. 4: 1)", that has permeated the minds of believers here in the End Times.
The doctrines of taught by demons is not making reference to demonic activity portrayed in horror movies. The doctrines taught by demons is ANY school of thought that runs contrary to what the mind of Christ has to say about the same subject matter. The doctrines taught by demons can be "heard" or read on just about every means of communication (Internet, television, movies, cd. dvd, books, etc. ) and "entertainment out there today. Sad to say, but such teachings are also taught and promoted from many pulpits that are manned by pastors who are NOT Biblically qualified. As the ancient prophet Hosea noted, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4: 6)." If one does not know what the truth is (2Pet. 3: 18/Matt. 7: 24-27), he/she is open to every alternative that the devil is more than happy to offer.
As it pertains to this study, the doctrines of demons refer to ANY teachings and/or activity that runs contrary to the divine institution of Christian marriage. Alternative "marriages" and/or living arrangements that run contrary to the, "...mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2: 16 NASB)", are among the doctrines that are taught and/or promoted by demons spoken of in 1 Tim. 4: 2.
There is NOTHING new about any theses alternatives (fornication, living together, adultery, lesbianism, homosexuality, etc.), but only here in the End Times has such activity been so widely accepted and promoted by members (and in some cases leaders) within the Christian Community at large.
Entertaining any of these alternatives is not the unpardonable sin. The unpardonable sin is the sin of disbelief (John 3: 18). This does not however mean that there is not going to be divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6) here on Earth to be experienced by believers who choose to violate the principles of Christian marriage (Heb. 13: 4). As we have seen, the principles of Christian Marriage address the sexual limitations and activities of single, divorced, and widowed individuals as well as those who are married. ANY violation of the principles of Christian Marriage can be addressed (1 John 1: 9) and corrected (John 8: 11).
For every human being, saved or not, there is "the sin which so easily entangles us (Heb.12: 1 NASB). What makes us different from one another is that "the" sin that so easily entangles one person is of little if any temptation to another. There are, for instance, thieves that would not lie and liars that would not steal. Human reasoning will self-justify our own sin(s) by pointing to the sins of others that are, according to human viewpoint, worse than the sin(s) that we choose to embrace. James 2: 10 says otherwise!
"For who ever keeps the whole Law (all of God's rules) and yet stumbles in (just) one point, he has become (as) guilty (as the one who has broken) of all (James 2: 10 NASB). This places the heterosexual and the homosexual/lesbian who entertain ANY act of sexual immorality (fornication, adultery/homosexuality/lesbianism/ sexual assault) side by side in the same stinking, sinking boat! If you add the thought element (Matt. 5: 27, 28) to the mix, there is hardly a person alive who has not committed some form of sexual immorality sin at some time in his/her life here on Earth.
Justifying our sin by the fact (or the illusion) that "everybody is doing it" didn't do those outside of Noah's Ark any good on the day of the flood, and it will not do any one of us any good when we stand and give an account of ourselves (Romans 14:12) to our Maker.
When sexual immorality is "the" sin that so easily entangles any given soul, his/her personal relationship and/or marriage becomes an easy target for the devil and his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil. The devil has an ample supply of trash that can encourage and facilitate the ungodly desires that the sin of sexual immorality will produce.
Just as a thief will always (Romans 7: 15 ) face the temptation to steal, and a liar will always face the temptation to lie, the same can be said of ANY other activity that the Bible declares to be sin UNTIL the sin is forsaken (John 8: 11) as well as confessed (1John 1: 9). Confessing (to God) is relatively easy, but letting go of the desire to engage in certain sins, especially whatever the sin that so easily entangles us as an individual, can be a never-ending daily battle until the sin is truly forsaken.
Being tempted to sin is NOT committing sin. Scripture (Heb. 4: 15) teach that the Lord Jesus Christ was tempted in every way, but did not sin. We are not all tempted to engage in the same form of sin, but we ARE all tempted to sin and have ALL sinned. It doesn't matter to the devil what sin we commit, as all sin can put our post salvation spiritual life on hold.
In the temporal realm, the administration of justice calls for the laws of Man to distinguish between minor and major offenses and to assign an appropriate punishment. But in the eyes (Habakkuk. 1: 13) of God, there is no distinction (James 2: 10). Sin is sin. All sin produces the SAME effect (Rom. 6: 23), and must be addressed by the SAME means (John 3: 16/1 John 1: 9/John 8: 11).
We are all born "that way" . "That way" is the tendency to engage in sin. The only thing that makes us different from one another is that being born "that way" will be exercised by engaging in different forms of sin. The tendency to engage in sin is due to the sin nature passed down at conception to what will become our humanity at birth. At BIRTH, our humanity and the sin nature within it becomes a part of our total being as long as we remain in these mortal bodies. The Apostle Paul spoke of his daily battle with the sin nature almost thirty years AFTER he was saved and towards the END of his earthly ministry (Romans 7).
What makes each one of us different from each other is that the sin nature is manifested differently in each one of us, thus revealing our own individual areas of strengths and weaknesses. Our strengths are the areas of sin in which we, as an individual, have little or no desire to entertain. Our weaknesses are area of sin that we, as an individual, are very vulnerable to caving in when tempted or presented with the right stimuli. The devil and/or his spiritual troops (Eph. 6: 12) are well aware of what our strengths and weaknesses are. He/they know what buttons to press and when to press them for maximum effect.
Accordingly, some liars would never steal. Some thieves would never murder. Some fornicators or adulterers would not desire to engage in any form of lesbianism or homosexuality. The fallen nature in all of us tends to magnify the sins that others have committed while diminishing the seriousness of our own. This rationalization may (or may not) help one to sleep a little better here on Earth, but will not hold water in the Court of Heaven.
The end result of ALL sin is one form of death (Romans 6: 23) or another. Scripture speaks of spiritual, temporal, and physical deaths.
The sin of Adam resulted in spiritual death (separation from God) that is passed down to the humanity of the next generation at conception (Psalms 51: 5). This spiritually dead status becomes a part of our total being when we (our soul) is created by God (John 3: 6) and placed in the body at birth (Gen. 2: 7), simultaneously with one's first breath of natural life (Gen. 2: 7). As of the Church Age, the ONE and only Biblical solution for spiritual death is the regeneration (Titus 3: 5) of the dead human spirit that is the automatic work of God that takes place when ANY soul chooses to believe in a presentation of the TRUE Gospel Message. If one chooses not to believe in the Gospel Message and departs this world in the same state of spiritual death in which he/she came into this world, his/her final destination will be the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 13, 15).
Post (after) salvation sin results in temporal death. In a state of temporal death, the believer remains saved, as the "gift" of salvation is irrevocable and the (Titus 3: 5) regenerating "work" of God are irreversible (Romans 11: 29). The believer who is in the mode of temporal death, however, is out of fellowship (Habakkuk 3: 11/2 Cor. 13: 14) with God. When out of fellowship the believer is subject to divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6). Apart from God a believer can do NOTHING (John 15:5) in the spiritual realm. Fellowship with God is restored through the 1 John 1: 9 process. Once restored, one must choose to forsake (John 8: 11) the sin that resulted in the temporal death, otherwise the believer finds him/herself in an never-ending cycle of being in and out of fellowship with God and never moving forward in the plan of God. The periods of temporal death can be as brief as the time it takes to confess a known sin, or can last for the duration of one's post salvation spiritual life here on Earth.
Finally, there is physical death, immediate (Acts 5) or over a longer period of time that can be (not always) the result of sin. In the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) it was a single sin and their deaths were almost immediate. For others it can be the sin of poor stewardship of the physical body that we were given resulting in a premature death through injury or disease. We ALL have an date with physical death and are not to assume that the physical death of anyone was or was not an act of divine discipline. We would be wise however, not to disregard it as being the means that any one of could be taken from this world if God so desires in response to the decisions we make here on Earth.
Since all believers (in the Gospel) end up in Heaven, one might ask what is the difference for those who live for God or live in sin during one's post salvation spiritual life?
While all who believe the Gospel receive the same eternal life as promised (John 3: 16), those who choose to sin are subject to discipline (Heb. 12: 6) here on Earth and the forfeiture of many eternal rewards in Heaven that they would have otherwise received in addition to the eternal life that all believers receive. Residency and experiencing the general environment of Heaven is a gift for ALL who are saved. Never-the-less, but there are rewards to be received or forfeited when one's deeds are examined at the 1Cor. 3: 12-15 event that takes place in Heaven.
The ones who are (#1) "born again - John 3: 3, 7) and then (#2) identify and pursue the TRUE post salvation spiritual life fulfill the primary purpose that God created and placed each and every soul here on Earth. We do not serve God to be rewarded, but He has made it clear that there are eternal rewards awaiting those believers who choose to live for Him now.
Human emotions associated with sexual lust can "blind" the spiritual eyes of those who choose to entertain it. This is one of the reasons why fornication (pre-marital, casual sex) is not a part of the plan of God. Once a persons deeper emotions associated with sexuality enters the relationship, the prospective mate's strengths and weaknesses of one's prospective mate are not so easily discerned and often ignored. We ALL have both strengths and weaknesses, but one should take a good look at what both he and she are saying "I do" to in Christian marriage.
A few drinks in a bar or a few dates are NOT going to reveal all that much about the person with whom one (should be) is building a relationship. What (should) separate humans from stray dogs is that one's sexual interests goes beyond what the next few minutes of a sexual encounter has to offer. What (should) separate Christians from humans in general is that EVERTYHING we do (or don't do) must first pass through the filters of discipleship.
Spending enough time in diverse situations with the one we are considering marriage with will usually reveal both the strengths and weaknesses that the marriage IS GOING to deal with over the course of the marriage. Both partners are ALWAYS going to deal with the weaknesses of one self and the weaknesses of the one we marry. Sooner or later the honeymoon is over and the challenges of married life begins. Like a roller-coaster, being half way up the first hill is not the time to decide if this was what one wanted to do!
What makes us different from one another is how "that way" (the fallen nature in ALL of us) is manifested in us as an individual or in groups of individuals. The reason that God can (and does) hold us accountable, is that even through we were born with a tendency to engage in a host of sinful activities, it is that we that CHOOSE to respond to the evil impulses of our own fallen nature and all the stimuli that the devil's world can muster. If we choose to continue in any form of sin, there can come a time when saying "No" is beyond the limitations of our severely (self) compromised human ability, but there is never a time when the shackles of such bondage cannot be broken by the (John 15: 5) power of God. Physical and spiritual rehabilitation can be a very painful experience.
We can resist the devil, and in doing so, cause him to flee (James 4: 7). We can resist the impulse of our own sin nature and silence its voice. In both cases, we do so by choosing to say, "No!", when the opportunities present themselves. We can reduce the opportunities for the fallen nature and/or the devil to tempt us by choosing NOT to place ourselves in environments and circumstances where the such temptations are more likely to occur. Never the less, if we are a worthy target of satanic attack, these opportunities ARE going to present themselves!
Like any other sin, all a born again Christian needs to do is to confess the sin(s) of the past and/or present (1 John 1: 9), and if need be, forsake the sin (John 8: 11) if it has become a lifestyle. This does not mean that there might not be other temporal consequences for ANY sin that one commits, but he/she never-the-less can still move forward knowing that his/her confessed sin has been forgiven by God.
This grace attitude is NOT a license to sin, as it invites divine discipline. Divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6), that can involve anything from having to live with a guilty conscience up to and including physical illness or physical death, and may materialize in ever increasing intensity if a confessed sin is not forsaken (John 8: 11).
Under the umbrella of Christian marriage, ALL believers (single, married, widowed, separated, and divorced) are in a position of accountability and circumstances in which the glory of God is on the line.
The Biblical (1 Cor. 7: 9) concept that it is better to marry than to lust) does not mean that one should marry someone else solely on the sexual or financial expectations of the relationship. Either one can be lost in a heartbeat, but one's vows to remain are still in force!
One's appearance and sexual potential may attract willing partners, but this is not what make up long term relationships. Like a new "toy", it will soon enough "get old" and the desire for a new or better one will manifest itself. Needless to say, a human being should never be someone's toy, nor should a Christian ever use another human being as his/her new "toy" to satisfy the sexual lust (inordinate desire) of the moment (Luke 6: 31).
Human beings are sexual beings. Satan, who, "...prowls around looking for someone to devour (1 Pet. 5: 8).", is well aware of this and provides many opportunities to vent one's desires in ways that are contrary to the what the, "...mind of Christ (1 Cor 2: 16 NAS)" has to say concerning the subject.
The principles of Christian marriage grants privileges and imposes restrictions on the types of sexual activities in which any given believer (single, married, widowed, separated, and divorced)) may find him/herself .
"The (Christian) wife does not have authority over her own body, but the (Christian) husband does; and likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. STOP depriving one another, except by (mutual) agreement for a time that you ay devote yourselves to prayer, and come together (have sex) again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
-1 Cor. 7: 4,5 NASB/italics mine.
"Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks. For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man (or woman) through whom the stumbling block comes!"-Matt. 18: 7 NASB/italics mine)".
"Let (Christian) marriage be held in honor among all (categories of believers), and let the (Christian) marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators (pre-marital sex) and adulterers (sex with one who is married to another) God will judge (Heb. 13: 4 NASB) italics/mine."
Single, divorced, separated, or widowed believers are not to engage in lesbianism, homosexuality, adultery or fornication (pre-marital heterosexual sex).
Christian marriage consists of ONE male and ONE female partner who are (Gen. 2: 24/1 Cor. 7: 3, 4) to engage in heterosexual sex with his/her mate, and with his/her mate only. Note that according to (Matt. 5: 28), even to look with one's eyes upon the humanity of another person with a sexual desire in mind amounts to having committed adultery in one's heart. Finding members of the opposite sex attractive is a normal activity, but the activity crosses the line and entertains the sin of (Matt. 5: 28) when one does or would engage in sexual relations with the person if given the opportunity to do so.
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In cases of immorality (adultery), the innocent partner can divorce an unfaithful mate and then remarry another. The "guilty" (of adultery) partner is not eligible to remarry as long as his/her first spouse is alive or perhaps (as some interpret Scripture) chooses to remarry. Believers are not to marry a divorced person, unless the formerly married person was the "innocent" (not guilty of adultery) partner in a previous marriage. Believers, who are entitled to remarry, are " advised" only to remarry if the prospective mate is a believer (1 Cor. 7: 39).
Widowed, separated, and divorced believers return to the sexual restrictions of single believers.
If the marriage took place BEFORE one of the partners involved became a Christian, the option of terminating the marriage (on the basis of religious/spiritual differences) is the option of the unbeliever (1 Cor. 7: 12-13).
The believer can choose to divorce or separate for many different reasons, such as physical abuse, neglect, desertion, welfare of the children, etc., but remarriage (as long as one's former mate is alive) is not an option for a believer unless he/she was the innocent party in a marriage in which adultery took place. Marrying another when one's prior marriage was not terminated because of adultery amount to adultery (Matt. 19: 9, and marrying a person who was divorced on any other grounds than his/her former mate's adultery, commits adultery by dong so. Although "divorced", the marital principles that govern re-marriage are still in force.
Religion and man has come up with circumventing solutions ( e.g., annulment), but such devices do not separate what God has joined together (Mark 10: 9).
In light of the disciples response (Matt. 19: 9, 10) after hearing our Lord's teaching on the bond of marriage, coupled with Paul's warning (1 Cor. 7: 28) on the subject, it would be wise for anyone who is contemplating marriage to consider the outcome of their choice to marry and/or divorce.
"And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery. The disciples said to Him, "If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry (Matt. 19: 9, 10 NASB)."
"...Yet such (married persons) will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you (1 Cor. 7: 28 NASB italics/mine)."
"Only as the Lord has assigned (marriage/single) to each one (individual), as God has called each (one), in this manner ( marriage vs. single) let him walk....(1 Cor. 7: 17/italics mine)." In EITHER category, God (John 15: 5) will provide each one with all that he/she needs to accomplish His will in this critical area of one's post salvation spiritual life.
The 1Cor. 13: 4-8passage, that defines "love" is often recited during marriage ceremonies. The problem with this is that Scripture is talking about agape love of God, and NOT interpersonal love between a man and his wife. It is agape love, for example, that is patient, kind, not jealous, bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. etc., but personal love is VERY fragile and can be shattered in a heart beat. Christian partners are called to adapt and apply agape love with the power the ONLY God can supply. If there ever was a marriage that did this 100%, there would be no marital fights. That, my friends is a nobel quest, but humanly impossible. When out of fellowship with God, one is NOT going to be in the frame of mind to apply apage love. I haven't seen a marital spat yet in which either one or both partners involed does not, at least for the moment, surrender the control of his/her mind, tongue, and behavior to the pressure of his/her offended, self-centered, sin nature. No two persons, married or otherwise, are going to agree with each other about all things all the time. People have emotions, and everyone is offended by everyone else at one time or another; let alone the challenge that marriage, and especially Christian marriage can place on those involved.
The devil's alternatives include, but are not limited to fornication ( living together in a sexual relationship), marriages that are structured and function om ways contrary to His design, adultery, lesbianism, and/or homosexuality. Especially when those who identify themselves as "Christians" choose to engage in such activity is God denied the glory that He would otherwise receive.
There are wholesome means of entertainment, but much evil is promoted in the media, television, cable, DVD's, movies, music, art, and entertainment industry. Just take any gab show or sit com and count the number of times in a single program or episode that the principles of such things as Christian marriage are attacked and how many times the devil's alternatives are being promoted. This is all a part of the devil's strategy of desensitizing the general population. The more one sees or hears something, the more he/she will come to at least tolerate things that at one time would have never been an option. What one generations tolerates, the next will accept, and the next will promote.
The battle for the destruction of Christian Marriage is being lost to the devil and his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil. If any one of us is not a part of a solution, then we are a part of the problem.
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Pastor's note:
Teaching on the subject of Christian marriage is one of the more difficult doctrines to retain the full attention of the audience/congregation, as is one way or another, it is sure to challenge all of us. There is no final end to the teaching of all the issues that can come under the umbrella of Christian marriage, but for the time being, this concludes our study of the principles of Christian marriage.
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God desires that everyone be saved (1 Tim. 2: 4), and He made that a possibility for all of us on the cross (1 John 2: 2). Never the less, Luke 12: 52 reveals that within families, there will be those who are saved and are (or will be) in Heaven, and there are those who will go to Hell because of the spiritual choices that such individuals choose to make. "Hell" is a general term that refers to two separate places of suffering. One is the Torments Section of Hades where ALL the souls of unbelievers have gone throughout the course of human history. The Torments section of Hades is not for the purpose of securing the salvation that was not received while on Earth, but is a holding tank in which the departed souls suffer and await the final judgment and sent to the permanent lake of fire. The second is the lake of fire. The second is the lake of fire. At the appointed time, all the souls suffering in Hades will be brought out, judged, and sent to the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 13, 15). The lake of fire is NOT a place of extermination, but a place where the souls of unbelievers will spend ALL of eternity, separated from God and the environment of God.
As of the Church Age, an "unbeliever" is ANYONE who chooses to reject (disbelieve) in a presentation of the TRUE Gospel Message. Souls that never reached the age/stage of moral accountability go to Heaven (2 Sam. 12: 23). I believe, that souls who, due to circumstances beyond their own control, that never hear (or given the opportunity to hear) the Gospel will be judged on the extent to which God revealed Himself to them (Gen. 15: 6). What Scripture (John 3: 16, 18) makes clear is that those who hear (or given the opportunity to hear) the true Gospel and believe it are either Heaven bound or in Heaven awaiting the Rapture. Those who leave this world in the capacity of an unbeliever are equally assured of an eternity separated from Go in the lake of fire. Note that this Gospel Message link has provided you with such an opportunity. What you do or don't do with the opportunity is between you and Lord, but from this point forward, you are without excuse.
Matthew 5; 19 make it clear that to whatever extent each one of us learns and applies the Word of God to our lives AND teach others (by word and/or example) plays a major role in determining one's reaching the status of greatness is Heaven and in the world to come. In addition to the eternal life that ALL believers receive, some believers will also receive specific rewards and privileges that they will enjoy for all of eternity that others believers will forfeit 1 Cor. 3: 15.
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The individual and familial plan that God has in mind for any one of us can involve receiving great social status and material prosperity (Job 1:3). On the other hand, His plan can also involve the temporary (Job. 1; 15, 17, 19 - Job 42: 12) or permanent ( Heb. 11: 35- 38) loss or the giving away (Mark 10: 21) of such things (Heb. 12: 24, 25). Via marriage, one can be called to experience and share the prosperity OR the losses that the plan of God requires of one spouse.
For the advancing disciple, his/her primary concern is that he/she is doing (or not doing) what the Lord requires of him/her. For the advancing disciple, the gain AND the deprivation of prosperity he/she encounters at any given time or phase are BOTH (Job 1:21/Job 2:10) parts of the plan of God. It is for this reason that the advancing disciple can enjoy the prosperity without any qualms of conscience, and yet easily let go of it if/when called to do so.
For the weaker believer, the loss and disappointment of what the plan of God calls for can be the reason that he/she abandons the life of discipleship, spending much of the rest of his/her post salvation in bitterness and anger towards God the things of God. In this, the devil is well-pleased.
When the partners of a marriage are not on the same page when it comes to where the priorities are in the financial realm, there is going to be conflict. This scenario intensifies if one takes the position that the more he/she provides, the more "say" that he/she has in where and how the finances are going to be spent. Christian marriage does not issue stocks, with the major "stockholder" (provider) having more say/control on that basis. The husband/father in a Christian marriage has the "last say" in ALL matters (Eph. 5: 23, 24).
The things of God are NOT for sale ay ANY price (Acts 8: 20). Marital authority is a thing of God. When a wife who greatly contributes to the day to day finances of the marriage is called upon to submit to the authority of her husband over a matter in which she strongly disagrees, it will often disclose if whatever financial contribution on the part of the wife had truly been (or will be) an act of extending a "helping" hand or an investment for self gain. The Christian wife is NOT required to contribute ANYTHING, but neither does such "help" change the divine order of marital authority if she does.
A Christian husband and a Christian wife will show mutual appreciation for whatever help his/her mate CHOOSES to do that "helps" the other fulfill his/her individual area of individual responsibility in a Christian marriage. Societal changes do take place, but the marital roles and the individual accountability (to God) have NOT changed. They are in full force throughout the entire dispensation of the Church Age for which they were established (Matt. 5: 18). The Church Age began in the approx. year 30 AD and will remain until the Rapture (1Thess .4: 17) has taken place.
With spiritual discernment, an advancing disciple can see the door of opportunity that the devil will use when "Christians" agree to deviate from the divine order that glorifies God in Christian marriage in order to receive individual or mutual "gain", here in the devil's world. The devil is both willing and able (Luke 4: 6) to bless anything or anyone that is willing to deny God the glory that He would otherwise receive. The glorification of God in the marital realm is a great focal point for the daily combat (Eph. 6) in the spiritual realm.
The individual believer and the married couple are BOTH accountable for how ALL the tangible assets that he/she or they receive under the principles of The Doctrine Of Stewardship..
Be it modest or one of great wealth, each home still runs an average monthly expense account that must be satisfied if one's socio-economic status is to be retained. If what an advancing disciple considers doing (or not doing) to either obtain or retain material possessions or social status requires him/her to compromise ANY spiritual principle, the bells and alarms in his/her edified soul structure (should) come on loud and strong. Ignoring these signals invites divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6). The Self-centered fallen nature in Man will do all it can to turn down the volume of this alarm system of the soul structure to the point that it cannot even be heard by our spiritual ears.
The reason that the devil endorses the women's liberation movement is that it attacks to primary area(s) of authority. One is the Church, and the other is marriage. In marriage, not only is principle of marital authority, but so are the finances. With issues of authority and/or finances under attack, marital harmony is not going to be a realistic expectation for anyone who wishes to glorify God via Christian marriage.
In Christian marriage, the responsibility for providing for the logistical needs (not the wants) of the family is that of the husband/father. At the same time, it is the corresponding function of the wife/mother to manage the home within the amount of money/means that the husband can provide. Discipleship ALWAYS costs the disciple something. This has never been so obvious than in the financial sacrifices called for in the present day American society, where what started out to be "extra" income on the part of a working wife-mother has become a "necessity" if one is to keep up with the neighbors who have rejected the concepts of Christian Marriage.
For the Christian husband, "... if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim. 5: 6 NASB)." As for the Christian wife, her priorities are to, "...love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands...(Why?), that the word of God may not be dishonored (Titus 2: 5 NASB italics mine)."
Note that, providing the matters of the home are not compromised, Scripture does NOT say that either the Christian husband or the Christian wife can not work or engage in activity outside of the home, with our without the company of one's spouse. The Doctrine of Stewardship address such things as the usage of our personal time and finances. Time apart can be healthy. Even in a large garden, there is the need for individual time and space for the individual plant to reach its own potential. The issue is rather or not the advancing disciple is compromising his or her primary role at home in order to work or to engage in other activity outside of the home.
Satan knows that money and /or the love for it (or the things it can buy) can destroy a Christian marriage. Satan hates anything that brings glory to the Lord Jesus Christ and has a plan in mind for its destruction. The destruction of a Christian marriage is a highly valued satanic objective. Dangling money (or things that it can buy) in the eyes of a malcontent is a common tactic in the realm of spiritual combat. Flaunting the "prosperity" of the ungodly is another. Too much time or money in the hands of an undisciplined believer can be a great weapon in the hands of the devil.
There will come a day when a "compromised Christian marriage" and the erosion of the place and influence of God in the home will be called into account (Heb. 12:6), be it in this life or in the life to come (Rom. 14: 12). The marriage vows (expressed or implied) were not only made to one's spouse, but to God. Compromises might "work" between the human partners of the marriage, but does NOT excuse the husband or the wife from their divinely appointed responsibilities and functions that they vowed to accept the day they chose to entertain Christian marriage. I place quotation marks around the phrase, "compromised Christian marriage", because it is a oxymoron. A marriage cannot be "compromised" and qualify as a "Christian" marriage.
As in any other area of discipleship, Christian marriage is relatively easy to execute as long as one is in agreement with what it requires it. It is when we are challenged to do (or not to do) what Christian marriage calls for that we do not like that our metal and vows are put to the test.
I do not dispute that a compromised marriage can "work" for those who are happy with the alterations. But to make personal or corporate "gains" here on Earth at the price of losing eternal rewards for glorifying God is a poor investment.
There is nothing wrong with husbands help the wives fulfill their assigned (Titus 2; 5) domestic functions and responsibilities. The "more involved" fathers is one of the "good" things that God has brought about in the otherwise deteriorating structure of the American family. Equally so, there is nothing wrong with a wife choosing to assist the husband in fulfilling his assigned function and responsibility of providing the logistical needs for the home (1 Timothy 5: 8).
There is nothing wrong with providing such mutual aid, as long as both the husband and wife recognize that "help" does not change who God holds accountable for what, and more importantly, that this does NOT change the marital system of authority. Christian wives NEVER tell their husbands to do anything.
The compromised husband/father will see the day that he will regret having compromised this key element in Christian marriage, and may even come to despise all that was "gained in the process. The Christian woman who disrespects marital authority will see the day when much of what she thought she had to offer to the home can be so easily replaced by either the man himself, or by persons or agencies who provide domestic or child services if he can afford it. Worse than that, it is when a man is disrespected and not acknowledged that many men will seek other persons and other activities in which his input and contribution will be respected and acknowledged.
Each one will wonder why that after "all he/she has done", his/her spouse would be willing to risk it all for some insignificant activity outside of the bounds of marriage.
The wife/mother will wonder why the disrespected husband doesn't want to spend as much time with the out-of-control "monster" that he let develop, and why the observing children take the position that her authority can be challenged or circumvented when they follow suit and assume the right to circumvent authority when they disagree with it.
The gun shy or "castrated" husband will shy away from his leadership role and then wonder why he is not respected. The mark of a Christian "man" is not how he looks in the mirror or by much weight he can bench press, but how well he can learn and take a stand for what it right at all costs. Being second guessed and ridiculed for making the wrong decisions comes along with being the ONE in the position of ultimate authority.
Being told, "No!", and accepting it without grumbling and disputing (Phil.2: 14) goes along with the ONE in a position of subordination.
The primary "mark" of a Christian woman is not her overt beauty. If she lives long enough, such things will be exchanged for the realities of old age. The mark of a Christian wife is the ever increasing strength of a quiet and gentle spirit (1 Pet. 3: 4) coupled with the grace and the application of her knowledge of the Word of God (2 Pet. 3: 18).
The mark(s) of a Christian husband and a Christian wife is that each one knows where his/her place and functions are within the marriage, and has respect and consideration for his/her spouse. It is by doing so that each one glorifies the third Partner in Christian marriage, the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is true that a lot of Biblical emphasis is placed on the subordination (Gen. 3: 16/Eph. 5: 24) of the wife, but it is equally true that the (good or bad) attitude she exhibits is what generally determines the tranquility (or lack of it) within the home environment. In order for God's design for a Christian marriage to function harmoniously, it calls for strong spiritual leadership on the part of the husband, and voluntary subordination on the part of the wife, or as Phil. 2: 14 NASB puts it, "Do ALL things without grumbling or disputing ."
Christian husbands want to be respected as the "head of the house", but tend to weaken their own position by compromising in order to avoid the heat that goes along with being the one in charge. Christian wives enjoy the traditional benefits that the position offers, but find it difficult to submit to the authority of the husband in "e-v-e-r-y-t-h-I-n-g (Eph. 5: 24), especially "without grumbling and disputing (Phil. 2: 14) when they are not in agreement with what is going on.
The Christian husband is under the divine authority of the third Partner (God) in a Christian marriage. The Christian wife, in addition to being under the same divine authority, is furthermore under the delegated authority of her husband. The "hostile (Romans 8: 7 NASB) nature in ALL of us will prompt us to question and rebel against authority and what authority has to say. To rebel against ANY form of legitimate authority is to sin against God (Romans 13: 1).
Even though the husband and the wife may be in agreement, God holds ultimately holds the husband responsible for all that goes on under his roof. This was true in the case of Adam and Eve, and is the case of all men who enter into Christian marriage, here in the Church Age.
The woman (Eve) had been deceived, and was led (by the devil) to believe that what she was going to do would improve things for she and Adam. Adam was in a position to have known better, having been clearly instructed (Gen. 2: 17) BEFORE the woman even came into the picture (Gen. 2: 22). To this day, it remains to be the responsibility of the husband to learn (prior to the need - Matt. 7: 24-27) what God has to say and to lead the marriage and the home accordingly. As Hosea put it, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4: 6 NASB), and James adds that knowing, but not doing what the Word of God requires accomplishes NOTHING (James 1: 22/ James 2: 26).
It is generally true that a happy wife means a happy life, but establishing momentary peace at the price of long term misery is NOT a wise investment. Like a child who will test the system from time to time, those in positions of subordination need to hear and to understand what, "No!", means.
Sulking, the "silent" treatment (something that veteran husbands may come to look forward to), moaning, groaning, complaining, bad mouthing to third parties, withholding affection, and ridicule are common means of rebelling against marital authority. Rebelling against authority is a sin. A wife who does not demonstrate subordination to her husband's authority will often find her parental authority being challenged by observing children.
It is the Christian husband's role, to set the rules of the home and to impose discipline when the rules are violated. "Rules" are not received with open arms by the "hostile" Romans 7:8 sin nature that is in all of us. It is the Christian wife's role (among other things) to show respect for God. She does so, in part, by respecting marital authority by "... do(ing) ALL things without grumbling and complaining (Phil. 2: 14 NASB). How well a wife complies with the authority of her husband will go alone way in establishing and maintaining the type of home environment that glorifies God.
The principle of reaping and sowing applies to marriage. One can not dance to the devil's tune and then expect the applause of God. The devil as a whole collection of "song books" that suggest, promote, and endorse alternatives to "Christian" marriage. For those with advanced spiritual discernment, such "songs" are played every day in the media and entertainment world. One is not going to hear much Bible Doctrine (if any) in most of the gab shows on the boob tube, radio, etc..
Husbands, fathers, and persons in positions of authority are portrayed as incompetent fools in much of the "comedy" and "sits-coms" that are viewed by millions every day. The concept of "challenging authority" did not originate with human race. It is as old as the angelic conflict in which the devil declared his independence and was determined to "do his own thing" independent of God (Isa. 14: 13).
The wife/mother who challenges marital authority will see the day that the children will follow suit and challenge her OWN parental authority, as well. After all (the rebellious teen will argue), if Mom can show disrespect and challenge the system of authority that God has established for the home, why can't the kids?
In any organization consisting of two or more human beings, ONE must have the final word and all others must comply. If there is no one who has the final say in any matter, then there is no one in change, leaving the agenda open for negotiation. Rebellion against ANY form of authority that God has established invites DIVINE discipline.
In frustration, believers often ask God (and others) why He isn't doing anything to get us out of the self-induced messes, when in fact what He is doing is disciplining (Heb. 12: 6) His children by simply allowing the seeds that we chose to sow to produce the very crop (results) that He warned us would take place. One cannot take the position that he/she was/is a "good" person (entitled to God's intervention) when he/she choose to live a life in disobedience to the "preparation" and "application" principles found in such passages as Matt. 7: 24-27.
The category of "Christians" that my heart goes out to are the one's who go through all the motions of "religion" on a regular basis, but because they are not being informed, or are not applying the information they do receive, have no answers to the spiritual challenges that life brings to the door of all of us.
A Christian husband will be disciplined (by God) for abusing his authority or neglecting his responsibilities.
The first woman was created for the primary benefit of the man (1Cor. 11: 9). This scenario, from divine viewpoint, has not changed. Although an equal partner in status, the wife was functionally placed under the marital authority of her husband who was (Gen. 3: 16) and is (Eph. 5: 24) to rule over her within the parameters of Christian Marriage. The Christian wife's parental and managerial authority are delegated functions that are subject to the ultimate control and responsibility of the husband. (Note that this principle applies to wives and not to ALL women. Each wife who entertains Christian marriage is subject to her husband. All women are not subject to all men.
As "ancient" as this principle may be, it was clearly (Eph. 5: 24) reiterated for Christian Marriage for the duration of the Church Age dispensation.
If a Christian man or women does not care to learn and/or apply the principles of Christian marriage, they are not interested in identifying and/or executing a MAJOR portion of the TRUE post salvation spiritual life. For the "Christian" husband and wife, the principles of Christian marriage are not options, they are commandments.
The principles of Christian marriage can appear to be one-sided, favoring the male partner, but there is another applicable verse that balances the scale:
"Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church as gave himself up for her (Eph. 5 25 NASB)."
Neither the Christian husband nor the Christian wife can afford to ignore the impacting principles of James 2: 10 when conducting self-examinations (1Cor. 13: 5). The mandates of Christian marriage are not suggestions, they are commandments.
"For whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become (stands as) guilty (as the one who has disobeyed all of them) of all (James 2: 10 NASB)."
"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate (love less) his own father and mother and wife/husband and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot by my disciple (Luke 14: 26 NASB)."
If the husband does not put the "pants " on, or the wife does, Christian Marriage is NOT being entertained.
Christian marriage was designed to function on a two-way street, with each human partner complimenting the assigned role and function of the other. Never the less, the failure of one human partner to fulfill his/her role is NOT just cause for the other partner to refuse to fulfill his/hers. Christian marriage calls for each human partner to identify what his/her role is and to fulfill it for the glory of God, regardless of if or how well the other human partner is fulfilling his/hers. It is when their is no reciprocal response from one's mate that the believer's commitment to his/her own role is put to the test. It is then that with the glory or dishonor of God hanging in the balance.
It can be a humbling experience for some to learn that much of what appears to have been done for the other mate, was actually done for the glory of the third (divine) Partner of the marriage. It's NOT all about YOU!
Most of us are familiar with the "Footsteps" tract that speaks of God carrying the believer through hard times. The same principle can be applied to the human partners of a marriage. Even if the immature or back-sliding believer NEVER comes around, the spiritually mature partner can glorify God in one of the most challenging environments (Christian marriage) on a day-to-day basis by doing what God requires of him/her. This can be one of the answers to the age old question of why one partner will be so willing to please a partner who offers little or nothing in return. Christian disciples are often portrayed as "fools" in the eyes of the world, but there is a a coming day when these "fools" will be deemed worthy of receiving rewards (1Cor. 3: 12-15) that others will not.
The 1 Cor. 3: 12-15 rewards are for the production of divine good, symbolized in the passage as silver, gold, and precious stones.
What went on or failed to go on) within the marital realm of a Christian will greatly impact the outcomes of this great event. Each and every day Christians who desire to entertain Christian Marriage will have ample opportunities to produce divine good as they apply the principles of Christian Marriage that brings glory to God.
Whenever a husband who does not receive respect of his wife, and/or when a wife does not feel appreciated, it presents a sure-fire recipe for marital discord. The grace and mercy of the divine Partner are without limitations, but even the most tolerant human partners can come to the point where enough is enough, and one must take a stand regardless of the outcome. Once the place and influence of the divine partner is set aside, and the two self-centered fallen natures of the human partners go toe to toe, conflict is humanly inevitable.
The (Titus 3: 5) "regenerated" spirit of a born again believer is Christ-centered and desires to please God in ALL areas of his/her life.. It must, however, contend with the fallen, self-centered nature that remains within him/herself and others ( Romans 8: 7). Fallen Man is by nature, "hostile (Romans 8: 7 NASB)", towards God and the things of God. The principles of Christian Marriage are among the "all areas" that the advancing disciple must address.
Christian wives will NEVER tell their husband to do anything, especially in the presence of other people. Christian wives will ask their husbands. When asked, the "Christian" husband is THEN called to take into full consideration, the immediate and long-term needs and desires of the wife. Wives, Christian or otherwise, might be surprised just how much of what she asks will be taken care of, as opposed to disrespecting her husband by trying to "tell" him what to do.
Christian marriage is a divine institution. NO institution can function without respect for authority. The test of one's respect for authority is NOT put to the test until things do NOT go the way the ones in subordinate positons wanted or expected.
In Christian marriage, GOD in the One who is in the position of ultimate authority, and the husband is the one who is in the position of functional and delegated authority. The one(s) in position(s) of authority MAY choose to do so, but do not have to explain themselves to subordinates. The old-fashioned, "Because I said so.", is all that a Christian in a subordinate position should need to hear.
Except when necessary to comply with an even higher level of authority, those is subordinate positions are obligated to "obey" the orders of anyone who is a position of higher authority than he/she. Rebelling against ANY legitimate form of authority is to rebel against God, the ultimate source of authority (Romans 13). When the one in a position of authority is wrong, that is a matter between that person and his/her superior to work out. The one and ONLY exception to this principle is when the subordinate is told to do (or not to do) something that he/she perceives to be sin. Taking whatever consequences there may be for disobeying an order is a part of the price that a person in a subordinate position takes on when making that decision on what he/she believes to be moral grounds. When the system of authority is functioning well, the last thing a person in a position of subordination should want to happen, is to be referred to a higher level of authority on a charge of insubordination.
Children, at least in past generations, knew that they were in deep trouble whenever Mom would say, "Just wait until your father comes home and hears about this...". It is the wise Christian to consider what the "Father" will have to say when they go Home and given an account (2Cor.5: 10?romans 14: 12) of how each one of us, among other things, handled our roles in Christian Marriage at the evaluation of deeds (1Cor. 3: 12-15). Will we receive a reward for having glorified God by having learned and applied the principles of Christian Marriage, or did we do things our way to please ourselves?
When a Christian wife, in the capacity of a mother, sets this example in the presence of her children, she reinforces the system of authority in her own home and her own parental authority as well. The option of divide and conquer should never be an option afforded to children. When a wife shows no respect for the authority of her husband in the presence of their children, it sets the stage for the children to challenge her own parental authority.
When the advancing disciple reaches the stage of spiritual maturity, he/she will obey the one in authority, "...without grumbling or disputing (Phil. 2: 14 NASB)."
Why? "... that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God beyond approach (criticism) in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you (should) appear as lights in the world (Phil 2: 15 NASB/italics mine)." Needless to say, a Christian marriage will stick out like a sore thumb in the times in which we are presently living.
Just imagine the benefits of a home where there was no rebellion (Rom. 13), grumbling, or disputing (Phil 2: 14 (NASB) ! Granted. such a home can never be established or maintained by self-centered human beings, but such a godly environment should be the objective of Christians who desire to glorify God in every aspect of their post salvation spiritual life.
Is the husband-to-be prepared to obey God and do ALL that God requires of in the capacity of a Christian husband? Is the wife to be prepared to obey her husband in "everything - Eph. 5: 24)? she is not ready for Christian marriage. These are the first two questions that should be asked in pre-marital classes that God would approve. If either partner can NOT answer YES to these issues, they should go no further until they can do so, if it is a Christian marriage that they desire to entertain.
Marriage can be challenging, but Christian marriage will not be possible without the enabling John 15:5 power that God supplies. Human beings have their limitations, God does not. There are likely going be times when the vows that an advancing disciple made to God is going to be the thread that holds the marriage together.
Two people can agree and function within many alternative forms of marriage or co-living arrangements. The devil and those who do his bidding will do he/they can to promote anything that would deny God the glory He receives when His children choose to do things His way. Unless the marriage includes God as the third and leading Partner, with BOTH human partners conforming to the roles and functions that Christian marriage requires, it is not a Christian Marriage. If a born again believer's marriage is not a "Christian" marriage, there is a LARGE void in his/her post salvation spiritual life. In this the devil is well-pleased.
The function of a pastor-teacher is to inform, not to conform others. Informing consists of making ALL of the relevant Scripture known, how to apply it, and the blessings or consequences for doing (or not doing) so. Once the information has been communicated, the responsibility of conforming is the recipients (Ezekiel 33: 1-9).
Teaching on the subject of Christian Marriage is one of those topics that initially draws a lot of attention, but in more cases than not, accurate teaching on this topic can easily "hit a nerve" or two along the way when one learns of or is reminded of what it takes to establish and maintain a "Christian" marriage.
In this study, it has been my goal to inform the recipients of what the, "...mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2: 16 NASB)" has to say about Christian Marriage. There are many alternative forms of marriage that both Christians and non-Christians by the millions will choose to entertain. These alternatives may "work well" (here on Earth) for those who engage in them, but such alternatives do NOT glorify God. It is the glory of God that is of highest priority on ALL that an advancing disciple entertains. Christian discipleship is a 24-7 lifestyle
Conforming to the likeness of Christ (Romans 8: 29/2 Cor. 3: 18) requires a free-will choice of the individual(s) involved. When an advancing disciple is presented with (or reminded of) a principle of doctrine that runs contrary to one's present thoughts, actions, or practices, he/she is faced with a challenge. He must either reject the new idea and hold to his/her former idea, or must make the necessary alterations that the new information requires.
What anyone does (or doesn't do) with the information that a pastor-teacher presents for the edification of believers is a matter between the recipient and the Lord. Pastor teachers are not to take it personal if the doctrine he presents is not accepted. Like a developing human being in the natural realm, some believers take a lot longer than others to get past the "milk" stage and become able to hold down the more solid food (1Cor. 3: 2). Some believers will agree in principle, but are NOT willing to make the (Luke 14: 26 )changes that the application of the doctrine require.
As a pastor-teacher, it is better to have people upset with you here on Earth, than to have it said at the (James 3: 1) pastoral evaluation that you knew the truth, but kept it from those who needed to hear it the most. If a believer chooses to please people over pleasing God, he has no business being behind a pulpit (Gal. 1: 10).
The "spineless" clergy of our day, being more concerned with their own popularity, political correctness and/or how much money is coming into the ministry, has opened the door to the, "... doctrines taught by demons (1 Tim. 4: 1)", that has permeated the minds of believers here in the End Times.
The doctrines of taught by demons is not making reference to demonic activity portrayed in horror movies. The doctrines taught by demons is ANY school of thought that runs contrary to what the mind of Christ has to say about the same subject matter. The doctrines taught by demons can be "heard" or read on just about every means of communication (Internet, television, movies, cd. dvd, books, etc. ) and "entertainment out there today. Sad to say, but such teachings are also taught and promoted from many pulpits that are manned by pastors who are NOT Biblically qualified. As the ancient prophet Hosea noted, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4: 6)." If one does not know what the truth is (2Pet. 3: 18/Matt. 7: 24-27), he/she is open to every alternative that the devil is more than happy to offer.
As it pertains to this study, the doctrines of demons refer to ANY teachings and/or activity that runs contrary to the divine institution of Christian marriage. Alternative "marriages" and/or living arrangements that run contrary to the, "...mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2: 16 NASB)", are among the doctrines that are taught and/or promoted by demons spoken of in 1 Tim. 4: 2.
There is NOTHING new about any theses alternatives (fornication, living together, adultery, lesbianism, homosexuality, etc.), but only here in the End Times has such activity been so widely accepted and promoted by members (and in some cases leaders) within the Christian Community at large.
Entertaining any of these alternatives is not the unpardonable sin. The unpardonable sin is the sin of disbelief (John 3: 18). This does not however mean that there is not going to be divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6) here on Earth to be experienced by believers who choose to violate the principles of Christian marriage (Heb. 13: 4). As we have seen, the principles of Christian Marriage address the sexual limitations and activities of single, divorced, and widowed individuals as well as those who are married. ANY violation of the principles of Christian Marriage can be addressed (1 John 1: 9) and corrected (John 8: 11).
For every human being, saved or not, there is "the sin which so easily entangles us (Heb.12: 1 NASB). What makes us different from one another is that "the" sin that so easily entangles one person is of little if any temptation to another. There are, for instance, thieves that would not lie and liars that would not steal. Human reasoning will self-justify our own sin(s) by pointing to the sins of others that are, according to human viewpoint, worse than the sin(s) that we choose to embrace. James 2: 10 says otherwise!
"For who ever keeps the whole Law (all of God's rules) and yet stumbles in (just) one point, he has become (as) guilty (as the one who has broken) of all (James 2: 10 NASB). This places the heterosexual and the homosexual/lesbian who entertain ANY act of sexual immorality (fornication, adultery/homosexuality/lesbianism/ sexual assault) side by side in the same stinking, sinking boat! If you add the thought element (Matt. 5: 27, 28) to the mix, there is hardly a person alive who has not committed some form of sexual immorality sin at some time in his/her life here on Earth.
Justifying our sin by the fact (or the illusion) that "everybody is doing it" didn't do those outside of Noah's Ark any good on the day of the flood, and it will not do any one of us any good when we stand and give an account of ourselves (Romans 14:12) to our Maker.
When sexual immorality is "the" sin that so easily entangles any given soul, his/her personal relationship and/or marriage becomes an easy target for the devil and his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil. The devil has an ample supply of trash that can encourage and facilitate the ungodly desires that the sin of sexual immorality will produce.
Just as a thief will always (Romans 7: 15 ) face the temptation to steal, and a liar will always face the temptation to lie, the same can be said of ANY other activity that the Bible declares to be sin UNTIL the sin is forsaken (John 8: 11) as well as confessed (1John 1: 9). Confessing (to God) is relatively easy, but letting go of the desire to engage in certain sins, especially whatever the sin that so easily entangles us as an individual, can be a never-ending daily battle until the sin is truly forsaken.
Being tempted to sin is NOT committing sin. Scripture (Heb. 4: 15) teach that the Lord Jesus Christ was tempted in every way, but did not sin. We are not all tempted to engage in the same form of sin, but we ARE all tempted to sin and have ALL sinned. It doesn't matter to the devil what sin we commit, as all sin can put our post salvation spiritual life on hold.
In the temporal realm, the administration of justice calls for the laws of Man to distinguish between minor and major offenses and to assign an appropriate punishment. But in the eyes (Habakkuk. 1: 13) of God, there is no distinction (James 2: 10). Sin is sin. All sin produces the SAME effect (Rom. 6: 23), and must be addressed by the SAME means (John 3: 16/1 John 1: 9/John 8: 11).
We are all born "that way" . "That way" is the tendency to engage in sin. The only thing that makes us different from one another is that being born "that way" will be exercised by engaging in different forms of sin. The tendency to engage in sin is due to the sin nature passed down at conception to what will become our humanity at birth. At BIRTH, our humanity and the sin nature within it becomes a part of our total being as long as we remain in these mortal bodies. The Apostle Paul spoke of his daily battle with the sin nature almost thirty years AFTER he was saved and towards the END of his earthly ministry (Romans 7).
What makes each one of us different from each other is that the sin nature is manifested differently in each one of us, thus revealing our own individual areas of strengths and weaknesses. Our strengths are the areas of sin in which we, as an individual, have little or no desire to entertain. Our weaknesses are area of sin that we, as an individual, are very vulnerable to caving in when tempted or presented with the right stimuli. The devil and/or his spiritual troops (Eph. 6: 12) are well aware of what our strengths and weaknesses are. He/they know what buttons to press and when to press them for maximum effect.
Accordingly, some liars would never steal. Some thieves would never murder. Some fornicators or adulterers would not desire to engage in any form of lesbianism or homosexuality. The fallen nature in all of us tends to magnify the sins that others have committed while diminishing the seriousness of our own. This rationalization may (or may not) help one to sleep a little better here on Earth, but will not hold water in the Court of Heaven.
The end result of ALL sin is one form of death (Romans 6: 23) or another. Scripture speaks of spiritual, temporal, and physical deaths.
The sin of Adam resulted in spiritual death (separation from God) that is passed down to the humanity of the next generation at conception (Psalms 51: 5). This spiritually dead status becomes a part of our total being when we (our soul) is created by God (John 3: 6) and placed in the body at birth (Gen. 2: 7), simultaneously with one's first breath of natural life (Gen. 2: 7). As of the Church Age, the ONE and only Biblical solution for spiritual death is the regeneration (Titus 3: 5) of the dead human spirit that is the automatic work of God that takes place when ANY soul chooses to believe in a presentation of the TRUE Gospel Message. If one chooses not to believe in the Gospel Message and departs this world in the same state of spiritual death in which he/she came into this world, his/her final destination will be the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 13, 15).
Post (after) salvation sin results in temporal death. In a state of temporal death, the believer remains saved, as the "gift" of salvation is irrevocable and the (Titus 3: 5) regenerating "work" of God are irreversible (Romans 11: 29). The believer who is in the mode of temporal death, however, is out of fellowship (Habakkuk 3: 11/2 Cor. 13: 14) with God. When out of fellowship the believer is subject to divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6). Apart from God a believer can do NOTHING (John 15:5) in the spiritual realm. Fellowship with God is restored through the 1 John 1: 9 process. Once restored, one must choose to forsake (John 8: 11) the sin that resulted in the temporal death, otherwise the believer finds him/herself in an never-ending cycle of being in and out of fellowship with God and never moving forward in the plan of God. The periods of temporal death can be as brief as the time it takes to confess a known sin, or can last for the duration of one's post salvation spiritual life here on Earth.
Finally, there is physical death, immediate (Acts 5) or over a longer period of time that can be (not always) the result of sin. In the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) it was a single sin and their deaths were almost immediate. For others it can be the sin of poor stewardship of the physical body that we were given resulting in a premature death through injury or disease. We ALL have an date with physical death and are not to assume that the physical death of anyone was or was not an act of divine discipline. We would be wise however, not to disregard it as being the means that any one of could be taken from this world if God so desires in response to the decisions we make here on Earth.
Since all believers (in the Gospel) end up in Heaven, one might ask what is the difference for those who live for God or live in sin during one's post salvation spiritual life?
While all who believe the Gospel receive the same eternal life as promised (John 3: 16), those who choose to sin are subject to discipline (Heb. 12: 6) here on Earth and the forfeiture of many eternal rewards in Heaven that they would have otherwise received in addition to the eternal life that all believers receive. Residency and experiencing the general environment of Heaven is a gift for ALL who are saved. Never-the-less, but there are rewards to be received or forfeited when one's deeds are examined at the 1Cor. 3: 12-15 event that takes place in Heaven.
The ones who are (#1) "born again - John 3: 3, 7) and then (#2) identify and pursue the TRUE post salvation spiritual life fulfill the primary purpose that God created and placed each and every soul here on Earth. We do not serve God to be rewarded, but He has made it clear that there are eternal rewards awaiting those believers who choose to live for Him now.
Human emotions associated with sexual lust can "blind" the spiritual eyes of those who choose to entertain it. This is one of the reasons why fornication (pre-marital, casual sex) is not a part of the plan of God. Once a persons deeper emotions associated with sexuality enters the relationship, the prospective mate's strengths and weaknesses of one's prospective mate are not so easily discerned and often ignored. We ALL have both strengths and weaknesses, but one should take a good look at what both he and she are saying "I do" to in Christian marriage.
A few drinks in a bar or a few dates are NOT going to reveal all that much about the person with whom one (should be) is building a relationship. What (should) separate humans from stray dogs is that one's sexual interests goes beyond what the next few minutes of a sexual encounter has to offer. What (should) separate Christians from humans in general is that EVERTYHING we do (or don't do) must first pass through the filters of discipleship.
Spending enough time in diverse situations with the one we are considering marriage with will usually reveal both the strengths and weaknesses that the marriage IS GOING to deal with over the course of the marriage. Both partners are ALWAYS going to deal with the weaknesses of one self and the weaknesses of the one we marry. Sooner or later the honeymoon is over and the challenges of married life begins. Like a roller-coaster, being half way up the first hill is not the time to decide if this was what one wanted to do!
What makes us different from one another is how "that way" (the fallen nature in ALL of us) is manifested in us as an individual or in groups of individuals. The reason that God can (and does) hold us accountable, is that even through we were born with a tendency to engage in a host of sinful activities, it is that we that CHOOSE to respond to the evil impulses of our own fallen nature and all the stimuli that the devil's world can muster. If we choose to continue in any form of sin, there can come a time when saying "No" is beyond the limitations of our severely (self) compromised human ability, but there is never a time when the shackles of such bondage cannot be broken by the (John 15: 5) power of God. Physical and spiritual rehabilitation can be a very painful experience.
We can resist the devil, and in doing so, cause him to flee (James 4: 7). We can resist the impulse of our own sin nature and silence its voice. In both cases, we do so by choosing to say, "No!", when the opportunities present themselves. We can reduce the opportunities for the fallen nature and/or the devil to tempt us by choosing NOT to place ourselves in environments and circumstances where the such temptations are more likely to occur. Never the less, if we are a worthy target of satanic attack, these opportunities ARE going to present themselves!
Like any other sin, all a born again Christian needs to do is to confess the sin(s) of the past and/or present (1 John 1: 9), and if need be, forsake the sin (John 8: 11) if it has become a lifestyle. This does not mean that there might not be other temporal consequences for ANY sin that one commits, but he/she never-the-less can still move forward knowing that his/her confessed sin has been forgiven by God.
This grace attitude is NOT a license to sin, as it invites divine discipline. Divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6), that can involve anything from having to live with a guilty conscience up to and including physical illness or physical death, and may materialize in ever increasing intensity if a confessed sin is not forsaken (John 8: 11).
Under the umbrella of Christian marriage, ALL believers (single, married, widowed, separated, and divorced) are in a position of accountability and circumstances in which the glory of God is on the line.
The Biblical (1 Cor. 7: 9) concept that it is better to marry than to lust) does not mean that one should marry someone else solely on the sexual or financial expectations of the relationship. Either one can be lost in a heartbeat, but one's vows to remain are still in force!
One's appearance and sexual potential may attract willing partners, but this is not what make up long term relationships. Like a new "toy", it will soon enough "get old" and the desire for a new or better one will manifest itself. Needless to say, a human being should never be someone's toy, nor should a Christian ever use another human being as his/her new "toy" to satisfy the sexual lust (inordinate desire) of the moment (Luke 6: 31).
Human beings are sexual beings. Satan, who, "...prowls around looking for someone to devour (1 Pet. 5: 8).", is well aware of this and provides many opportunities to vent one's desires in ways that are contrary to the what the, "...mind of Christ (1 Cor 2: 16 NAS)" has to say concerning the subject.
The principles of Christian marriage grants privileges and imposes restrictions on the types of sexual activities in which any given believer (single, married, widowed, separated, and divorced)) may find him/herself .
"The (Christian) wife does not have authority over her own body, but the (Christian) husband does; and likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. STOP depriving one another, except by (mutual) agreement for a time that you ay devote yourselves to prayer, and come together (have sex) again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
-1 Cor. 7: 4,5 NASB/italics mine.
"Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks. For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man (or woman) through whom the stumbling block comes!"-Matt. 18: 7 NASB/italics mine)".
"Let (Christian) marriage be held in honor among all (categories of believers), and let the (Christian) marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators (pre-marital sex) and adulterers (sex with one who is married to another) God will judge (Heb. 13: 4 NASB) italics/mine."
Single, divorced, separated, or widowed believers are not to engage in lesbianism, homosexuality, adultery or fornication (pre-marital heterosexual sex).
Christian marriage consists of ONE male and ONE female partner who are (Gen. 2: 24/1 Cor. 7: 3, 4) to engage in heterosexual sex with his/her mate, and with his/her mate only. Note that according to (Matt. 5: 28), even to look with one's eyes upon the humanity of another person with a sexual desire in mind amounts to having committed adultery in one's heart. Finding members of the opposite sex attractive is a normal activity, but the activity crosses the line and entertains the sin of (Matt. 5: 28) when one does or would engage in sexual relations with the person if given the opportunity to do so.
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In cases of immorality (adultery), the innocent partner can divorce an unfaithful mate and then remarry another. The "guilty" (of adultery) partner is not eligible to remarry as long as his/her first spouse is alive or perhaps (as some interpret Scripture) chooses to remarry. Believers are not to marry a divorced person, unless the formerly married person was the "innocent" (not guilty of adultery) partner in a previous marriage. Believers, who are entitled to remarry, are " advised" only to remarry if the prospective mate is a believer (1 Cor. 7: 39).
Widowed, separated, and divorced believers return to the sexual restrictions of single believers.
If the marriage took place BEFORE one of the partners involved became a Christian, the option of terminating the marriage (on the basis of religious/spiritual differences) is the option of the unbeliever (1 Cor. 7: 12-13).
The believer can choose to divorce or separate for many different reasons, such as physical abuse, neglect, desertion, welfare of the children, etc., but remarriage (as long as one's former mate is alive) is not an option for a believer unless he/she was the innocent party in a marriage in which adultery took place. Marrying another when one's prior marriage was not terminated because of adultery amount to adultery (Matt. 19: 9, and marrying a person who was divorced on any other grounds than his/her former mate's adultery, commits adultery by dong so. Although "divorced", the marital principles that govern re-marriage are still in force.
Religion and man has come up with circumventing solutions ( e.g., annulment), but such devices do not separate what God has joined together (Mark 10: 9).
In light of the disciples response (Matt. 19: 9, 10) after hearing our Lord's teaching on the bond of marriage, coupled with Paul's warning (1 Cor. 7: 28) on the subject, it would be wise for anyone who is contemplating marriage to consider the outcome of their choice to marry and/or divorce.
"And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery. The disciples said to Him, "If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry (Matt. 19: 9, 10 NASB)."
"...Yet such (married persons) will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you (1 Cor. 7: 28 NASB italics/mine)."
"Only as the Lord has assigned (marriage/single) to each one (individual), as God has called each (one), in this manner ( marriage vs. single) let him walk....(1 Cor. 7: 17/italics mine)." In EITHER category, God (John 15: 5) will provide each one with all that he/she needs to accomplish His will in this critical area of one's post salvation spiritual life.
The 1Cor. 13: 4-8passage, that defines "love" is often recited during marriage ceremonies. The problem with this is that Scripture is talking about agape love of God, and NOT interpersonal love between a man and his wife. It is agape love, for example, that is patient, kind, not jealous, bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. etc., but personal love is VERY fragile and can be shattered in a heart beat. Christian partners are called to adapt and apply agape love with the power the ONLY God can supply. If there ever was a marriage that did this 100%, there would be no marital fights. That, my friends is a nobel quest, but humanly impossible. When out of fellowship with God, one is NOT going to be in the frame of mind to apply apage love. I haven't seen a marital spat yet in which either one or both partners involed does not, at least for the moment, surrender the control of his/her mind, tongue, and behavior to the pressure of his/her offended, self-centered, sin nature. No two persons, married or otherwise, are going to agree with each other about all things all the time. People have emotions, and everyone is offended by everyone else at one time or another; let alone the challenge that marriage, and especially Christian marriage can place on those involved.
The devil's alternatives include, but are not limited to fornication ( living together in a sexual relationship), marriages that are structured and function om ways contrary to His design, adultery, lesbianism, and/or homosexuality. Especially when those who identify themselves as "Christians" choose to engage in such activity is God denied the glory that He would otherwise receive.
There are wholesome means of entertainment, but much evil is promoted in the media, television, cable, DVD's, movies, music, art, and entertainment industry. Just take any gab show or sit com and count the number of times in a single program or episode that the principles of such things as Christian marriage are attacked and how many times the devil's alternatives are being promoted. This is all a part of the devil's strategy of desensitizing the general population. The more one sees or hears something, the more he/she will come to at least tolerate things that at one time would have never been an option. What one generations tolerates, the next will accept, and the next will promote.
The battle for the destruction of Christian Marriage is being lost to the devil and his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil. If any one of us is not a part of a solution, then we are a part of the problem.
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Pastor's note:
Teaching on the subject of Christian marriage is one of the more difficult doctrines to retain the full attention of the audience/congregation, as is one way or another, it is sure to challenge all of us. There is no final end to the teaching of all the issues that can come under the umbrella of Christian marriage, but for the time being, this concludes our study of the principles of Christian marriage.
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