A Stand
A Salvation Issue? by
Dave
For a Christian, quitting a stand MUST include something... that is the acceptance of living the rest of our lives alone... no dating, no romance, no other spouses... The exception of course is if a spouse dies.
Many Christians try to rationalize this by saying things like, but God said is isn't good for us to be alone, or I am the victim, why should I be punished. These are arguments based on emotion. When we get into the word, we see a different standard...
Many scriptures reference God's will in this matter, but none probably better than Romans 7:2-3: "For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. 3 So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man."
So, what if a Christian ignores this premise, divorces then starts dating eventually, and maybe even remarries. Well, according to Romans, that makes the former stander an adulterer. If we look to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
Many could argue with that saying that being Christians God has or will forgive them. Remember however, adultery is not a one time sin, if the relationship continues, then it is continuous sin. God has also spoken about that subject... In Hebrews 10:26-31. "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the Law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
So, does quitting a stand, and eventually seeking other relationships enter us into a situation where our very salvation is at risk? This is a serious question those of you in this group who have said were going to quit their stands need to ask yourself.
What do you really have to lose for standing? Quitting will not take away the pain; it will only take away your hope. If you still decide to quit, then you MUST accept singleness the rest of your life. No dating or remarriage unless your spouse dies before you. You have a 50/50 chance there.
I have said all of this of course assuming a covenant marriage is being stood for. I hope this spawns some thoughts in each of your minds... something to ponder and consider...
In Christ,
Dave
