There are many who take issue with the idea that the New Testament is intended to be a pattern for the lives we live. Some consider only the words of Jesus to be authoritative (cf. John 16:5-15). Others deny the sufficiency of scripture to equip us to every good work (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Others simple view the New Testament as a love letter to men (cf. John 14:15).
In fact, the verses above and many others express the necessity of submitting to the authority expressed in the New Testament. This authority is revealed in commands and observed examples. We do not have the right to disregard them. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).
To demonstrate what that means to us as Christians, consider the apostle Paul’s instructions to the church there in regard to marital matters. These are found in 1 Corinthians 7, and reveal some obligations that men typically find to be onerous. Yet, the Christian is bound by them all.
- Verse two reveals that sex outside of marriage is immoral. The Greek word porneia, translated in the KJV as fornication, and in the NKJV as sexual immorality, indicates any sexual intercourse outside of marriage. This would include premarital sex of any kind, and also homosexuality as an item in that subset of sexual activity.
- Verse two then, indicates that lawful sexual activity is that which occurs between a husband and wife. Note that Paul identifies marriage to include one man and one woman.
- Verse three indicates the responsibility of both the husband and the wife to be attentive to the sexual needs of their spouse. The “affection due” to each. Verses four and five indicate that in the marriage relationship, such duty is not rightfully withheld, and that its importance is to avoid temptation “because of your lack of self-control.”
- Verse nine clearly commands marriage to any whose desires are too difficult to control. Sex in marriage is acceptable to God (cf. Hebrews 13:4), but fornication is not.
- Concerning marriage, in verse ten Paul states that it is a commitment that must be honored. Numerous times in the context of the chapter the command is given not to depart (here indicating divorce). “A wife is not to depart form her husband” (10). “A husband is not to divorce his wife” (11). “Let him not divorce her” (12). “Let her not divorce him” (13). “Do not seek to be loosed” (27).
- Verse eleven also reveals a mitigating requirement for any who disobey the command to “not depart.” “Let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband.”
- In verse fifteen, Paul instructs the believer to let an unbeliever depart rather than becoming enslaved to the unbeliever. In other words, to choose God over man.
- Verse nineteen states, “keeping the commandments of God is what matters.” In verse twenty-three he emphasizes the freedom the Christian has because of his relationship to the Lord, and commands, “do not become slaves of men.” Peter and the other apostles expressed this sentiment in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
- Verse thirty-nine states the lifetime commitment of marriage, but allows for remarriage when a spouse dies, “only in the Lord.”
In all of these verses, God has expectations that the child of God is bound to meet. The New Testament is our pattern and guide. We are not at liberty to ignore it.
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