The Marriage Proposal - Will You Marry Me?
A rousing thought of 1st Corinthians 7:1-6
Enhanced and paraphrased, “Headache or no headache this is
about promoting fidelity”
In the actual text, you can read Paul addressing an issue in
the church at Corinth.
The issue being addressed is sexual decency, or immorality. Purity is the
ascription, yet Paul offers some best practices for those who can’t reach that
high.
(NIV) Now for the
matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations
with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is
occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each
woman with her own husband.3 The husband should fulfill
his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The
wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In
the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields
it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except
perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves
to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt
you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I
say this as a concession, not as a command.
Sadly it seems even today this problem has not faded away.
It’s just a little less talked about, openly.
The issue is being tucked away while the question (the insult) of
morality is at an all time high. In need of some redress, because. People are
being instructed - if it feels right it can’t necessarily be all wrong. Not
every one can stand the truth, so maybe there is no absolute truth to aspire to.
All things are relative.
In the middle of this similar situation Paul prescribes an
answer. Its application was toward marriage. Yet let’s stretch it all the way
out into the concept of monogamy.
Excerpted - do not deprive one another (conjugation), except
for prayer, so that you may not be tempted (by the devil) because you lack self
control.
He is responding to the issue not simply absolutely, but
also practically. This is the way it should be. But I know it’s difficult so
here’s an idea. Choose ONE!
One partner. One spouse. One “soul” mate. And let the rest
alone.
And then upon choosing your mate, go for it like rabbits as
long as you both agree about it. Don’t hold back from one another except for
some time with God – perhaps to take a bath (my insert). Lest you be tempted to
look away and seek some other form or alternative. [the internet is a very
imaginative place]
It’s almost funny. People select mates and spouses based on
all kinds of criteria, but one. The one that happens to get the most attention
after the fact.
Sex!
This one criterion many think of and has the most long-term
implication, except for the fact it’s all about feelings. Your partner may be
broke, funky, look bad, has some bad tendencies – but the lay is good. It feels
good sensually so that means…
A reminder that, Not everything that feels good is good.
Paul asks, God instructs. All should optimally stay pure. But absent that,
choose ONE.
Stay focused on that one. Work with that one. Stay faithful
to that one. And the devil has no way to test your lack of self control.
Then he further closes, to make sure everybody (even the
high and mighty super spiritual Christians) understands. This is a concession,
not the commandment.
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