1 Corinthians 7:4-5
4 For the wife does not have
authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does
not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do
not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time, to devote
yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt
you because of your lack of self-control.
Observation:
One of the great chains that bind
us, as a result of the fall, is our loss of freedom for the other. While Adam and Eve lived in the
garden in unity with God and one another, there was no thought of receiving
something from the other for selfish reasons. I believe this is evident in the
fact that prior to the eating of the forbidden fruit they were unaware of their
nakedness. Before the Fall each one
provides for the others needs, not out of obligation or demand; rather, they
give to the other out of Agape. The
very image of God residing with in them moves them to be free to consider the other before ones self.
Paul must be aware of some selfish
desire among those who are married. Clearly, the sexual situation of the
Corinthian culture has distorted godly practices. Paul addresses the issues in
a very clear manner. It may be that the religious sexual practices of the
culture are adversely affecting the church. It would be tempting to read into
the text our culture where sexual relations become a too for getting what you
want. However, in this case it may be that one may be trying to gain spiritual
power through control over the sexual relationship between wife and husband.
Paul clearly states that wife and
husband are to live in the state of freedom from self and freedom for other. In this scenario, the wife does
not consider what she wants first, nor does the husband make demands on his
wife. In fact, Paul adds a hint of fasting to the passage when he suggests that
the only time sexual relations are to be resisted is when both agree and then
they should pray.
Application:
Sexual relations were not just an
issue in Paul’s day. Throughout history, sexual relations have been a topic of
difficulty. Some believe that the sexual relationship was designed for
pleasure. This may be true, but there was far more to it in the Garden of Eden.
Out of their great love for other the
two became one and in so doing created life. This was God’s command to Adam and
Eve, to be fruitful and multiply. The primary function of the sexual relations
of Adam and Eve is creation; just as the Trinity produced life through the
great love that exists in the very Nature of God. Love produces life in the
object of its love.
When selfishness exists in the
marriage relationship death is created. With selfishness comes, envy,
bitterness, conceit, hatred, anger, grudges, and gossip. The pleasure of the
sexual relationship is reduced when the individual is seeking their own
satisfaction. Yes, there is great pleasure to be experienced in the sexual
relationship between wife and husband; nevertheless, this pleasure becomes more
focused on joy when we seek to bring pleasure to the other, rather than ourselves.
This is not true only of sexual
relationships. It is also true of all relationships. When we strive to bring
joy to others we find that there is joy in all things that we do. When we seek
to bring joy to God, it changes the attitude in which we do our work, our play,
even our worship. Through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, and the
baptism of the Holy Spirit, we have been given freedom. Not to do as we please
with our lives. Instead, we are free for others. Once again, we can love God
and others.
Prayer:
Father, I praise your Holy name. You
have chosen to place your image in every human being. You have made away,
through your son Jesus the Christ, for that image to be restored in humanity.
Thank you for filling me with your great love. Train me up in the way I must
go, strengthening your love in my life, that I might consider others above
myself, and that I would honor you with all I say and do. With Peter, I may say
that I Phileo you, but may your Agape ever increase as I walk with you each
day.
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