Holy Influence

Our responsibility for one another may have a limit.

For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you. Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife. However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. - 1 Corinthians 7:14-17

Paul tells husbands and wives that they, by being believers, have a holy influence on their spouses.

The relationship we are in brings the responsibility to stay together.  The influence we have on those around us, though, is not so much a responsibility as a benefit.

When we look at it that way, our mission to share the Gospel in thoughts, words and deeds can be viewed from a different perspective. 

How often do we try to hold on when a loved one walks away, believing it is our fault if they abandon their faith in the process?

Paul acknowledges that we have the potential to change those we love, by having a strong influence of faith on them when they are with us.  But when they leave, they take with them the responsibility for their faith.

We need not continue to beat ourselves up for their actions or inactions.

I guess the message here is that each of us is responsible for ourselves.  It is true that we have the potential to influence the outcome just by being involved with each other, but in the end, we choose our destiny.  We are free to walk away.

For our own health and sanity, we need to know this. 

So, I think Paul is offering the followers a way to accept and respect the decision of a loved one to choose not to believe, and to be able to continue without feeling the guilt that such a decision may bring.

Of course, it is not easy to do, to let the guilt dissipate.  But as Jesus told his disciples, sometimes we just have to shake the dust off our heals and move on.

More to come...