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ARE YOU TOO FREE TO BE MARRIED?

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MARRIED TO CHRIST

MARRIED

By Ken Blue

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Romans 7:4.

Death certainly absolves one of all responsibility. No more bills to pay, no more pain or sickness to contend with, and no one to offend. Death brings complete liberty. Oh, the sweet liberty of death! “Free from the law, O happy condition, Jesus hath bled, and there is remission; Cursed by the Law, and bruised by the fall, Grace hath redeemed us once for all.” Enough could never be said about God’s wonderful grace!

BUT, I fear many professing Christians are either confused about grace, or they haven’t really experienced it in their life. Anyone who ignores the second half of the verse has a serious spiritual problem. If a person remained in a state of death, there would be little concern, but that is not so with one who is saved. His resurrection in Christ is just as real as his death. One is dead, only in relation to the Law.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]If you are saved, you are now raised with Christ, and married to Him![/perfectpullquote]

If you are saved, you are now raised with Christ, and married to Him! Just as in your old life under the Law brought forth sin through the members of your body, now you are to bring forth fruit acceptable unto God. That fruit will be demonstrated through the members of your body. This does not mean that you will never sin or be tempted. But, it is clear that you are NOW married to Christ, and your life should glorify Him. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:15-16.

When a man or woman is freed from prison, they are not freed to go back to the old life of crime. They are freed to live right. When a spouse dies, the one is free from responsibility to the other, and they may marry another. But, they are not free to live a life of immorality.

Yes, we are free from the old master, or previous marriage, but we are not freed to live a life in sin. We are now married to Christ and are to glorify Him with our bodies. “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:13.

GOT ANY ADULATORS IN YOUR CHURCH?

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CAN ADULATORS JOIN THE CHURCH?

Two Wedding Rings Resting On A Bible PageBy Ken Blue

“And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” Mark 10:11-12.

Since this verse is the final answer on the matter of divorce and remarriage to most pastors, it might be a good time to do a check up to see if their actions match their theology. If you believe these verses settle the matter, then the conclusion is simple.

One question we should ask is, if a couple is “shacking up” would you let these adulators become members of your church? My guess is that 90% will answer no, and we agree with that decision.

However, if a married couple seeks membership and either one of them was previously married would you let them become members? If you take the Mark 10 position, how do you justify their membership? Does the second marriage license remove their adultery status? What if they claim they were saved after the second marriage, does that settle the matter?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Can you justify making adulators second-rate or inferior members?[/pullquote]

Another way some skirt the issue is to allow the remarried membership, but withhold certain privileges from them. You will hear some pastors’ say, “We let them join, but they can’t teach, lead, or hold any office.” Of course they will let them serve as janitors, bring in new members, and tithe. Something is rotten in Denmark!

If you really believe they are living in adultery, how do you justify their membership in the first place? If you allow them membership, how can you justify making them second-rate and inferior members? It looks like you have allowed tradition and faulty hermeneutics to paint you into the proverbial corner.

I have a pastor friend who will not allow the remarried to join his church. He has about ten members. I completely disagree with his understanding of this issue, but he is true to his convictions, and we must respect him for that. Are you really true to yours?

HOW THE IMPORTANT ESCAPES US

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THE IMPORTANT OR THE URGENT

importantBy Ken Blue

“And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be….” 1 Kings 20:40.

Former President, Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The important is seldom urgent and the urgent is seldom important.” Most of us never figure out what was really important until it has escaped us; then it is too late.

Instead of smiting wicked Benhadad, Ahab made a covenant with him and let him go. The prophet, in the parable, said the above words to King Ahab. Unbeknownst to the king, his response was his own death sentence. Because Ahab had his mind on everything else, except the will of God, he lost that which God had delivered into his hands, and his own life.

How sad, that most of us have lost opportunities and relationships because we were too busy here and too busy there. The Lord tells us what is most important. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37. The following explains how we are to do this: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Men and women have lost what is most valuable by making a covenant with the world, the flesh and the devil.[/pullquote]

No one can tell you what the will of God is for your vocation or individual choices. But, when the love of God and the will of God become first in our lives, we will not be busy about secondary issues.  Many men and women have lost that which was most valuable while making a covenant with the world, the flesh and the devil. Every marriage is destroyed because one or both parties were not paying attention to that which God had given them and they lost it. Prisons are filled with young men and women because the most important was ignored.

Being busy is not a virtue. There is no music without a rest and there is no spiritual renewal without a pause. I insert the following for your meditation. “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.

The message is simple and clear; God has delivered into your hands that with which you can do–His will. Don’t be negligent or foolish. I know many who are busy here and there, but God is not in their plans or thoughts at all. Therefore, do not be surprised when you discover the most important things in life have escaped you.