marriage in the church

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Today continues Paul's teaching on marriage and divorce. First he talks to married couples in the church to say that marriage is forever. His point seems to be made here in the light of others who taught against marriage or sex. Paul reminds the church that marriage is to be taken seriously. At the same time, we recognize that there are times when a marriage can not work out. In a situation like that Christians are called to make every effort to make the marriage work, but at a certain point it may be that a marriage is doing both partners real harm and they would be better off as people, parents and Christians to divorce. Paul might not have said that, but I believe it's true.

On the other hand, Paul's teaching is a little different for believers married to unbelievers. In this case the Christian spouse should still try to make things work, knowing that through their influence both the spouse and their children could be closer to Jesus than without the marriage. At the same time, if the unbelieving spouse chooses to end the marriage, the Christian should let them go in peace. They are then free to remarry. Marriage and family is such a challenging and wonderful part of life. In a family faith often grows strong, but sometimes we have a harder time living our faith at home than we do outside. In marriage and life Christ calls us to peace and love.
May it be so for you today,
Sam

1 Corinthians 7:10-16

10To the married I give this command—not I but the Lord—that the wife should not separate from her husband 11(but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife. 12To the rest I say—I and not the Lord—that if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you. 16Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.