MAINTAINING GOD’s INTENT For MARRIAGE(& Singleness)-V—1Corinthians 7:1-9
(Making Marriage(& Singleness) Worthy of its Creator)
Attention:
Excuse Me Driver:
A guy in a taxi wanted to speak to the driver so he leans forward & taps the plexiglass separator.
The driver screamed, jumped up in the air & yanked the wheel over.
The car mounted the curb, demolished a lamppost & came to a stop inches from a shop window.
The startled passenger said, “I didn't mean to frighten you, I just wanted to ask you something.”
The Taxi driver said, “It's not your fault sir. It's my first day as a cab driver.
It’s just that I've been driving a hearse for the past 15 years!”
The new taxi driver’s competence was wanting.
If we are careful to nurture God’s Intent in our marriages, then they will NOT end up ‘on the skids’ as do ~50% of worldly AND Christian marriages!
Paul answered the inquiries & clarified the concerns of the Corinthian Christians regarding marriage.
Christians maintain God’s intent/design for marriage.
How do/can Christian couples maintain God’s intent for marriage?
6 focal points for Christians regarding marriage.
We have found that Maintaining God’s intent for marriage(& singleness) demands a concentration upon...
1. His DIRECTIVES(:1)
2. His LIMITATIONs(:2)
3. His AFFECTION(:3)
4. His AUTHORITY(:4)
5—Maintaining God’s intent for marriage(& singleness) demands a concentration upon...
His COMMITMENT(:5-6)
Explanation:(:5-6) Attention
:5—“Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting & prayer; & come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
Marriage is a decidedly spiritual matter.
“Some of the Corinthians had apparently become celibate at their spouse’s expense.” This “explains why he insists”...“that abstinence cannot be imposed on a spouse but must be a decision reached by mutual consent” & only for the specific & limited purpose of “prayer.” Christians must “channel” their sex drive “in proper, healthful ways that do not harm the individual, the individual’s salvation, the marriage, or the community.”—BECNT
As is said, Old taboos[heartless legalism] put the wild animals into cages, where they live still, are dangerous, & remain a threat to the captor.—BECNT
“May give yourselves to”
The Greek word behind “Give” here is not the most commonly used word. It is only used 2X in the Bible—here & in Mat. 12:44. It means to be at total leisure upon entering into a season of fasting & prayer. Thru mutual “consent” there will be no hindrances...there will be total freedom on the part of husband &/or wife to enter a season of focused spiritual endeavor.
There is an exception to the SIN of mutual or individual sexual deprivation in marriage. The exception is by mutual agreement only(“with consent”), & that only for the purpose of unhindered fasting & prayer, & that only for a limited time. Again, there is never to be celibacy by choice(the will of man) in marriage!...
Having said that, please keep in mind that there are ‘physical’ problems that can arise, things you don’t intend, that can prevent sexual activity in marriage. That is NOT Paul’s concern here! Yet it still speaks to it, in that the Holy Spirit thru Paul is giving direction on how to willfully maintain God’s intent in marriage. Paul is answering questions which dogged the Corinthian church.
Again, marriage & it’s resulting sexual activity are decidedly spiritual matters. In Judaism, the husband only needed to inform his wife of his decision for abstinence regardless of her input.—BECNT
Even during ‘a season of prayer’ both must come together again[sexually] because ‘forced’ separation opens a couple up to Satanic temptations.
“Lack of self-control” makes a person vulnerable to temptation. Your commitment to Christ or lack thereof, affects your self-control. The Holy Spirit empowers the Christian to submit his/her control of ourselves—the what, when, where, why, & how—to God!
Gal. 5:19-25—“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, & the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions & desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Paul’s instruction by default “excludes spiritual unions” as well as any individual spouse’s implementation of celibacy upon the couple.—BECNT
“Do Not/Stop/Not”(See :5)—mh—Particle—1) No, not lest. Strong—a primary particle of qualified negation(whereas ou, ouk, ouc expresses an absolute denial); adverbially--Not, conjunctionally--Lest; also(as an interrogative implying a negative answer[whereas ou expects an affirmative one])--Whether.
“Deprive/Depriving/Defrauding”—aposterew—Verb—1) To defraud, rob, despoil. Strong—To despoil. Used 6X.?From—apo—Preposition—a primary particle; “Off,” i.e. Away(from something near), in various senses(of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative).—&—sterew—To deprive.
*This word is used by Paul in 6:7--“Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?”
“One another”—allhlwn—Pronoun Plural Reciprocal—1) One another, reciprocally, mutually. Strong—Genitive[?] plural from allov[a primary word; "else," i.e. different(in many applications)] reduplicated; One another.
“Except/Unless”—ei mh ti—Conjunction—1) Unless indeed, except, unless perhaps. Strong—If not somewhat. Used 3X.?From—ei mh—1) if not.—& the neuter of—tiv—some or any person or object.
“With/By”—ek/ex—Prep.—1) Out of, from, by, away from. Strong—a primary preposition denoting origin(the point whence action or motion proceeds), From, out(of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote).
“Consent/Agreement/Mutual Consent”—sumfwnov—Adj.—1) Harmonious, accordant, agreeing; 2) Thing agreed upon, compact. Strong—Sounding together(alike), i.e. (figuratively--Accordant(neuter as noun, agreement). Used 1X.?English=(?)’Symphony’?From—sun—1) With. Strong—a primary preposition denoting union; With or together(but much closer than meta or para), i.e. By association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.—&—fwnh—Noun Fem.— A sound, a tone(articulate, bestial or artificial); A voice; Speech; An address, saying or language.
“For”—prov—Preposition—1) To the advantage of; 2) At, near, by; 3) To, towards, with, with regard to. Strong—a preposition of direction; Forward to, i.e. Toward(with the genitive case) the side of, i.e. Pertaining to; (with the dative case)--By the side of, i.e. Near to; (usually with the accusative case)--The place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. Whither or for which it is predicated.
“Time/Season”—kairov—Noun Masc.—1) Due measure; 2) A measure of time, a larger or smaller portion of time, hence:—2a) A fixed & definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for, 2b) Opportune or seasonable time, 2c) The right time, 2d) A limited period of time, 2e) To what time brings, the state of the times, the things & events of time. Kairov denotes a definitely limited portion of time with the added notion of suitableness. Strong—of uncertain affinity; An occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.
“Give/Devote/At Leisure”—scolazw—Present Active Subjunctive—1) To cease from labor, to loiter; 2) To be free from labor, to be at leisure, to be idle—2a) To have leisure for a thing, 2b) To give one's self to a thing; 3) Of things—3a) of places--To be unoccupied, empty, 3b) Of a centurion's vacant office, 3c) Of vacant ecclesiastical offices, 3d) Of officers without charge. Strong—To take a holiday, i.e. Be at leisure for(by implication--Devote oneself wholly to); figuratively--To be vacant(of a house). Used 2X--Here & Mat. 12:44 of the return of an unclean spirit finding its original abode unoccupied.?From—scolh—properly--Loitering(as a withholding of oneself from work) or leisure, i.e. by implication--A “school”(as vacation from physical employment).
“Fasting”[Byz/TR]—nhsteia—Noun Fem.—1) A fasting, fast—1a) A voluntary, as a religious exercise—1a1) Of private fasting, 1a2) The public fast as prescribed by the Mosaic Law & kept yearly on the great day of atonement, the tenth of the month of Tisri(the month Tisri comprises a part of our September & October); The fast accordingly, occurred in the autumn when navigation was usually dangerous on account of storms, 1b) A fasting caused by want or poverty. Strong—abstinence(from lack of food, or voluntary & religious); specifically--The fast of the Day of Atonement. Used 8X.?From the inseparable negative particle— nh(not)—&—esyiw—To eat(usually literal).
“Prayer”—proseuch—Noun Fem.—Lit.=‘Wish toward’—1) Prayer addressed to God; 2) A place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer—2a) A synagogue, 2b) A place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray, outside the cities, where they had no synagogue—2b1) Such places were situated upon the bank of a stream or the shore of a sea, where there was a supply of water for washing the hands before prayer. Proseuch is a word of sacred character, being limited to prayer to God. Proseuch gives prominence to the element of devotion. Strong—Prayer(worship); by implication--An oratory(chapel).?From—prov—1) To the advantage of; 2) At, near, by; 3) To, towards, with, with regard to. Strong—Forward to, i.e. Toward(with the genitive case)--The side of, i.e. Pertaining to; By the side of, i.e. Near to; Whither.—&—eucomai—middle voice of a primary verb; To wish; by implication--To pray to God.
“Come together”—sunercomai—Verb—1) To come together—1a) To assemble, 1b) Of conjugal cohabitation; 2) To go(depart) or come with one, to accompany one. Strong—To convene, depart in company with, associate with, or specifically--Cohabit(conjugally). Used 32X.?From—sun—1) With. Strong—a primary preposition denoting union; With or together(but much closer than meta or para), i.e. By association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.—&—ercomai—To come; To come into being, arise, come forth, show itself, find place or influence; Be established, become known, to come(fall) into or unto; 3) To go, to follow one; To “come” & arrive at, as well as “to go”; To come or go(in a great variety of applications, literally & figuratively).—
“Again”—palin—Adverb—1) Anew, again—1a) Renewal or repetition of the action, 1b) Again, anew; 2) Again, i.e. further, moreover; 3) In turn, on the other hand. Strong—probably from the same as palh(through the idea of oscillatory repetition); adverbially--Anew, i.e. of place--Back, of time--Once more, or conjunctionally--Furthermore or on the other hand.
“So that/Lest”—ina—Conjunction—1) That, in order that, so that. Strong—probably from the same as the former part of eautou(through the demonstrative idea; compare o, h, to); In order that(denoting the purpose or the result).
“Satan”—Satanav—Noun Proper Masc.—1) Adversary(one who opposes another in purpose or act), the name given to:—1a) The prince of evil spirits, the inveterate adversary of God & Christ—1a1) He incites apostasy from God & to sin, 1a2) Circumventing men by his wiles, 1a3) The worshippers of idols are said to be under his control, 1a4) By his demons he is able to take possession of men & inflict them with diseases, 1a5) By God's assistance he is overcome, 1a6) On Christ's return from heaven he will be bound with chains for a thousand years, but when the thousand years are finished he will walk the earth in yet greater power, but shortly after will be given over to eternal punishment, 1b) A Satan-like man. Strong—of Aramaic origin corresponding to Satan(with the definite affix); The accuser, i.e. The devil.
“Does not”[Byz/TR](See :1, 4)—mh—Particle—1) No, not lest. Strong—a primary particle of qualified negation(whereas ou, ouk, ouc expresses an absolute denial); adverbially--Not, conjunctionally--Lest; also(as an interrogative implying a negative answer[whereas ou expects an affirmative one])--Whether.
“Lest”[Maj.T]—ina mh—Conjunctional Particle—1) Lest, that ... not. Strong—in order(or so) that not.
“Tempt”—peirazw—Verb—1) To try whether a thing can be done—1a) To attempt, endeavor; 2) To try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself—2a) in a good sense, 2b) in a bad sense--To test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments, 2c) To try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin—2c1) To solicit to sin, to tempt—1c1a) Of the temptations of the devil, 2d) after the OT usage—2d1) of God--To inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character & the steadfastness of his faith, 2d2) men are said to tempt God by exhibitions of distrust, as though they wished to try whether he is not justly distrusted, 2d3) by impious or wicked conduct to test God's justice & patience, & to challenge him, as it were to give proof of his perfections. Strong—To test(objectively), i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline. Used 39X.
“Because”—dia—Prep.—1) Through—1a) of place—1a1) With, 1a2) In, 1b) of time—1b1) Throughout, 1b2) During, 1c) of means—1c1) By, 1c2) By the means of; 2) Through—2a) The ground or reason by which something is or is not done—2a1) By reason of, 2a2) On account of, 2a3) Because of for this reason, 2a4) Therefore, 2a5) On this account. Strong—a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; Through(in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional).
“Lack of Self-control/Incontinence”—akrasia—Noun Fem.—Lit.=‘absence of power/strength’—1) Want of self-control, incontinence, intemperance. Strong—Want of self-restraint. Used 2X.?From—A(as a negative particle)—&—kratov—Force, strength; Power, might--mighty with great power, A mighty deed, a work of power; Dominion. Kratov is might, relative & manifested power; Vigor[“great”].
:6—“But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.”
Husband & wife ‘can’, but are NOT obligated to, participate in mutual sexual deprivation. And then IF & only IF it is for a pre-determined Christ-honoring reason! Sexual deprivation within marriage, is potentially harmful/damaging/injurious for a couple to flirt with.
Paul emphasizes that a couple who chooses to enter into a time of sexual “deprivation” should come back together within a suitable timeframe in order to fulfill the ‘short-term’—‘God-allowed’—“concession” for fasting & prayer(:5).
Again—The above is an allowance only & NOT a “commandment.” A sexual disconnection for a focused time for fasting & prayer is NOT “a commandment” or prerequisite for marriage. It is not “a commandment” because to do so may invite temptation toward other means of sexual fulfillment[temptations brought by a lack of self-control](:5, 9).
Paul’s “concession” may be looking backward at the previous discussion, meaning “that a period of abstinence is acceptable but never mandatory.”—Kendell Easley[KE] in Explore The Bible[ETB] 1,2 Corinthians Spring 2018
...Or Paul’s “concession” may just as easily be looking forward to the following discussion, meaning “that being single is acceptable but never mandatory.” The “concession” would concern being single in that there are those(Paul being one) whose thoughts & desires are not effected or skewed by sexual matters. —KE in ETB Spring 2018
These who have given themselves to the Lord do so more fully, not having their attentions captured by sexual matters, but are rather captured by undistracted obedience to the Lord(cf.-:29-35).
Matthew 19:12—[Jesus said]—“For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, & there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, & there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.””
*Paul’s “concession”(of limitation?), is thus “not” a “commandment” of God—that is, that a husband & wife are not “commanded” to separate themselves from sexual activity.
Thus, a humanly sought out ‘platonic’ or celibate relationship is never acceptable(:7) in holy marital relationships. Celibacy in marriage is unacceptable given that it is only to occur on a very narrowly limited basis thru mutual consent(:5). Both scenarios—temporary ‘celibacy’ or a lack thereof—are both to accomplish the end, of unhindered obedience to the Lord(cf.-:29-35) thru personal holiness. This is a call to simply use good godly sense in serving God & thus not blindly follow ‘rules.’
1Cor. 7:29-35—“But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, & those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away. But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord--how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world--how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife & a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body & in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world--how she may please her husband. And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, & that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
But again, such a marital relationship is never to be determined of men but is rather to be determined by God in the individual & couple(cf.-Mat. 19:12).
This is a reminder that Christians are to be ‘equally yoked’ in spiritual matters(2Cor. 6:14--7:1).
Mat. 19:3-12—“The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, & saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” And He answered & said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male & female,’ “& said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father & mother & be joined to his wife, & the two shall become one flesh’? “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, & to put her away?” He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, & marries another, commits adultery; & whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, & there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, & there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”
2Cor. 6:14--7:1—“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons & daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.” Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh & spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
“Say”(See :12)—legw—Verb—1) To say, to speak—1a) Affirm over, maintain, 1b) To teach, 1c) To exhort, advise, to command, direct, 1d) To point out with words, intend, mean, mean to say, 1e) To call by name, to call, name, 1f) To speak out, speak of, mention. Strong—a primary verb; properly--To "lay" forth, i.e. figuratively--Relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas epw & fhmi generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while rew is properly, to break silence merely, & lalew means an extended or random harangue]); by implication--To mean.
“As/Of/By way of”—kata—1) Down from, through out; 2) According to, toward, along. Strong—a primary particle; prepositionally--Down(in place or time), in varied relations(according to the case [genitive case, dative case or accusative case] with which it is joined).
“Concession”—suggnwmh—Noun Fem.—Lit.=‘companioned knowledge’—Fellow knowledge, i.e. Concession.?From—sun—1) With. Strong—a primary preposition denoting union; With or together(but much closer than meta or para), i.e. By association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.—&—ginwskw—a prolonged form of a primary verb; to “know”(absolutely) in a great variety of applications & with many implications(as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed).
“Not”(See :1, 4, 5)—mh—Particle—1) No, not lest. Strong—a primary particle of qualified negation(whereas ou, ouk, ouc expresses an absolute denial); adverbially--Not, conjunctionally--Lest; also(as an interrogative implying a negative answer[whereas ou expects an affirmative one])--Whether.
“Commandment/Command”—epitagh—Noun Fem.—1) An injunction, mandate, command. Strong—An injunction or decree; by implication—Authoritativeness. Used 7X.?From—epi—1) Upon, on, at, by, before; 2) of position--On, at, by, over, against; 3) To, over, on, at, across, against. Strong—Over, upon, etc.; of rest(with the det.)--At, on, etc.; of direction(with the accusative case)--Towards, upon, etc.—&—tassw—To arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. Assign or dispose(to a certain position or lot).
Argumentation:
Deut. 12:29-32—“When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, & you displace them & dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, & that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ “You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons & daughters in the fire to their gods. “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
Israel’s taking the land of Canaan, pictures God’s using you to take/usurp that which is considered your ‘sphere of influence.’
Judges 2:8-17—“Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died when he was one hundred & ten years old. And they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnath Heres, in the mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of Mount Gaash. When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel. Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, & served the Baals; & they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; & they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, & they bowed down to them; & they provoked the LORD to anger. They forsook the LORD & served Baal & the Ashtoreths. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; & He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity, as the LORD had said, & as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed. Nevertheless, the LORD raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, & bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so.”
2Kgs. 17:24-41—“Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, & from Sepharvaim, & placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; & they took possession of Samaria & dwelt in its cities. And it was so, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they did not fear the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them. So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The nations whom you have removed & placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the rituals of the God of the land; therefore He has sent lions among them, & indeed, they are killing them because they do not know the rituals of the God of the land.” Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, “Send there one of the priests whom you brought from there; let him go & dwell there, & let him teach them the rituals of the God of the land.” Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came & dwelt in Bethel, & taught them how they should fear the LORD. However every nation continued to make gods of its own, & put them in the shrines on the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in the cities where they dwelt. The men of Babylon made Succoth Benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, & the Avites made Nibhaz & Tartak; & the Sepharvites burned their children in fire to Adrammelech & Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. So they feared the LORD, & from every class they appointed for themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the shrines of the high places. They feared the LORD, yet served their own gods--according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away. To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the LORD, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances, or the law & commandment which the LORD had commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel, with whom the LORD had made a covenant & charged them, saying: “You shall not fear other gods, nor bow down to them nor serve them nor sacrifice to them; “but the LORD, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power & an outstretched arm, Him you shall fear, Him you shall worship, & to Him you shall offer sacrifice. And the statutes, the ordinances, the law, & the commandment which He wrote for you, you shall be careful to observe forever; you shall not fear other gods. “And the covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods. But the LORD your God you shall fear; & He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.” However they did not obey, but they followed their former rituals. So these nations feared the LORD, yet served their carved images; also their children & their children’s children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day.”
They taught the rituals & others were taught the rituals without the heart necessary to make the rituals more than rituals!
Eph. 4:17--5:10—“This I say, therefore, & testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him & have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, & be renewed in the spirit of your mind, & that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness & holiness. [What follows are some practical manifestations of the reality of the new man] Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. Be angry, & do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, & evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us & given Himself for us, an offering & a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication & all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ & God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, & truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”
Ps. 37:3-6—“Trust in the LORD, & do good; Dwell in the land, & feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.”...
...Why highlight “your righteousness” & “your justice”? Because “your righteousness” & “your justice” will actually be God’s righteousness & justice when we are fully committed to Him!
Prov. 16:3—“Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.”
Illustration:
‘Starbucks Coffee’ began as an innovator that caters to a very specific niche/It’s stores all transmit or propagate to the public: A laid-back atmosphere for adult singles(?) that fosters & encourages quiet, calm, ‘intelligent’ conversation & work environment, by means of precisely attuned personalized coffees(that do not adversely effect one’s thinking)/His COMMITMENT
•Starbucks is pretty much a polar opposite of a ‘Chuck E. Cheese’s’ experience & vice-versa!
Seek to set your marriage as that which honors God’s design & desire in all you do!
Application:
?Is the focal point of your Marriage(or Singleness) upon God’s COMMITMENT/Attention?
?Does your Marriage Maintain God’s Intent??
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
"I didn't mean to frighten you. “It's my first day as a cab driver since I’ve been driving a hearse for the past 15 years!”
Action:
Maintaining God’s intent for marriage(& singleness) demands a concentration upon...
5. His COMMITMENT(:5-6)
1. His DIRECTIVES(:1)
2. His LIMITATION(:2)
3. His AFFECTION(:3)
4. His AUTHORITY(:4)
Pt# 5 only! presented 03/10/2019am to:
FBC C’belle
206 Storrs Ave. SW(SE Ave. A)
Carrabelle, FL 32322
