Paul – on Resurrection
Acts 24:15.
"...and I
have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of
both the righteous and the wicked.
But what about keeping your
conscience clear between you and your spouse? How's that going to play on
resurrection day??
For a minute let's forget about resurrection
day...what about the effects of having, or not having, a conscience clear
between you and your spouse today?!
Let's look at what the Apostle Peter
had to say about this: I Peter 3:7.
"Husband...be considerate as you live with your wife, and
treat her with respect...as an heir with you of the gracious gift of life, so
that nothing will hinder your prayers."
(paraphrased)
Actually, this flips both ways. My Mom always said, "What's good for the
goose is good for the gander!" You get the drift?
Male or female, the
Bible says that if you aren't living considerately with your spouse, respecting
graciously the gift of life they bring to you, your prayers aren't going to be
answered!
Now the big problem is usually that "it is his/her fault."
Uh-huh, huh-uh...it isn't his/her fault. It's not a matter of 'fault.' It's a
matter of problem and it's your problem.
It's your problem because
regardless of how much you want sympathy and to punish him/her, it's YOUR
prayers that won't get answered until you get your act together and start
treating your spouse graciously, with respect, considerately - because nothing
else will "keep
my/your conscience clear before God..."
And nothing short
of that will enable our prayers to be answered.