Thoughts: Marriage is "til death do us part." After life is gone, the marriage is over too, and the wife or husband can marry someone else. Paul says this elsewhere in Romans 7:2: "For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage." Marriage is not forever. Jesus said the same thing (Mark 12:23-25 "when the dead rise they will neither die nor be given in marriage). Marriage is a great gift- a gift that lasts a lifetime; but it is not an eternal gift. Many of us lift up human sexual love as if it will last forever, but Jesus said we would be like the angels after we die. There are some, like the Mormons, who would like human love guaranteed and sealed by God forever. But perhaps God wants us not to elevate human erotic love to His level. We do have a tendency, as the Corinthians and Baal worshipers did, to worship love (Aphrodite, Cupid, Astarte, Venus, or many today in the West who are addicted to sexual acts, et al). But God's love is different from sexual love- it is an unconditional giving love that goes beyond the physical or the physical life of earth. Paul also recommends staying in an unmarried state after the spouse dies, but he allows marriage after the death of a spouse. This is possible, and it elevates self control over lust as a better emotion.
This passage goes against Sigmund Freud's idea that sexuality is the main driving force of life. Christians believe that God is the main driving force of life- this life and the next. There are always times when we should exercise self control. In the last stages of pregnancy when the wife does not feel like having intimacy; or when your spouse is sick and unable to have sex. The very young and very old (despite what the tabloids and viagora commercials say) do not have to have sex to live full lives. Those who are called to be single (or single a second time) also do not have to have sexual relations to be full human beings. Sexuality is a gift from God. But all good gifts can be abused or elevated to God-like status (like we can't live without them and should make them a priority over everything else).
This passage goes against Sigmund Freud's idea that sexuality is the main driving force of life. Christians believe that God is the main driving force of life- this life and the next. There are always times when we should exercise self control. In the last stages of pregnancy when the wife does not feel like having intimacy; or when your spouse is sick and unable to have sex. The very young and very old (despite what the tabloids and viagora commercials say) do not have to have sex to live full lives. Those who are called to be single (or single a second time) also do not have to have sexual relations to be full human beings. Sexuality is a gift from God. But all good gifts can be abused or elevated to God-like status (like we can't live without them and should make them a priority over everything else).
Prayer: Lord, let me see my life as more than my sexuality. Help me to love you beyond this life and to worship you only.
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