COURTSHIP
While it is true that a broken courtship is better than a broken marriage, courtship should be esteemed very highly, and never taken for granted.
Matthew 5:33, 37 (ESV) Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’
Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
In the time before Jesus, swearing was never to be joked with as the fellow was bound to his oath! Jephthah had to offer his daughter to the temple because of a vow he had made without knowing what it would cost him this much. Now in Matthew, Jesus is saying there's no need to swear again, let your affirmation carry that weight now. When we give our word on an issue, it ought to be our bond.
It would be wisdom to count the cost, and search your heart before making a commitment to someone. If however, after that commitment, you realise certain things you didn't factor into the equation, or things you thought you could easily handle but couldn't, if you break your word because of that, you're a dishonorable fellow.
Psalms 15:1, 4 (KJV) LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
Someone who swears (in this case, gives his word, making a solemn commitment), and realises that it is to his detriment, or that it would hurt him, and yet refuses to back down on his word is the kind of person who can abide in God's tabernacle, or dwell in God's holy hill.
Peradventure, the fellow seemed to meet the Biblical standard for a spouse which informed your decision, only to realise that he/she was a deceiver and never really saved (this is different from the issue of battling with sin as a believer), then you would have to let her go because a greater law than that of your word has come into play (2Corinthians 6:14-16).
Sadly, society has lost much value for promises to the extent that even contracts can be broken, whereas, there was a time in history where your word, or handshake was all that was needed.
Believers in courtship need to grasp this truth, and believers around them need to provide their support to the believers in courtship, to ensure that they glorify God instead of attempting to destroy a beautiful thing that has been established.
Matthew 5:33, 37 (ESV) Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’
Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
In the time before Jesus, swearing was never to be joked with as the fellow was bound to his oath! Jephthah had to offer his daughter to the temple because of a vow he had made without knowing what it would cost him this much. Now in Matthew, Jesus is saying there's no need to swear again, let your affirmation carry that weight now. When we give our word on an issue, it ought to be our bond.
It would be wisdom to count the cost, and search your heart before making a commitment to someone. If however, after that commitment, you realise certain things you didn't factor into the equation, or things you thought you could easily handle but couldn't, if you break your word because of that, you're a dishonorable fellow.
Psalms 15:1, 4 (KJV) LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
Someone who swears (in this case, gives his word, making a solemn commitment), and realises that it is to his detriment, or that it would hurt him, and yet refuses to back down on his word is the kind of person who can abide in God's tabernacle, or dwell in God's holy hill.
Peradventure, the fellow seemed to meet the Biblical standard for a spouse which informed your decision, only to realise that he/she was a deceiver and never really saved (this is different from the issue of battling with sin as a believer), then you would have to let her go because a greater law than that of your word has come into play (2Corinthians 6:14-16).
Sadly, society has lost much value for promises to the extent that even contracts can be broken, whereas, there was a time in history where your word, or handshake was all that was needed.
Believers in courtship need to grasp this truth, and believers around them need to provide their support to the believers in courtship, to ensure that they glorify God instead of attempting to destroy a beautiful thing that has been established.
A refreshing view. Just reaffirms that one should not take a decision to court without been completely sure.
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