1 Corinthians 7 - 3.8.23

Scripture

1 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT

“Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you?”

Observation-What does it say?

The apostle Paul is writing the Corinthian Church and giving sound advice on marriage. In this particular verse, Paul is giving advice on husbands or wives who are married to unbelievers. He tells them if their unbelieving spouse is still willing to stay with them in the marriage, they should continue living with them. This way, the believing spouse brings holiness to the marriage and their family.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Demonstrating Christ’s love in your marriage.

As I was reading this passage I couldn’t help but think of all the marriages out there where one of the spouses was a believer, and the other was not. In today’s society, you usually see that scenario with the wife being the believer and the husband is not. You see it at church, every Mother’s Day. The mom typically wants to go to church as a family on Sunday morning to celebrate; But, she has to drag her husband and kids out of bed, and then drag them inside of church. You see it on the husband’s and kid’s faces that they don’t want to be there. They would rather be sleeping in and watching television on the couch that day. But, since it is Mother’s Day, they submit to what mom wants.

Now my heart goes out to any mom, or any believing spouse that not only goes through this every Mother’s Day, but every Sunday. My prayers are with you. But my advice for you is to stay strong in your faith, do not give up. Keep praying for your family. Keep demonstrating the love of Christ within your marriage and home. Just like Paul reminds us here:

“For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy.”-1 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭

Life Application

Love is something that is shown and not forced.

So if they don’t want to go with you to church, that’s fine. Don’t force them. Let them know that you are going and why you are going. Let them know that you love them, and that you would love to have them join you sometime. The invitation is always open. No guilt trip needed. Just keep demonstrating the love Jesus shows us, (pure, perfect, unconditional, and sacrificial), within your home. Show them through your actions and words what a godly spouse looks like, and keep praying that it points them to Jesus. 🙏🏽

Father God I pray for all the marriages and families out there that are affected by this problem. I pray against the heart of discouragement in the believing spouse. May they continue to seek You first in everything they do. May they demonstrate Your love, and live the godly lives that You call them to live, especially in their home. May their spouse catch a glimpse of what You are about God. Draw their unbelieving spouse to You Jesus. Soften their hearts. May the love their spouse shows them each day, resonate in them how much You love them. May their hearts accept You. May lives, marriages, and families be transformed. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi