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Questions appropriate for printing in the War Cry will be answered through this column.
39
The War Cry | NOVEMBER 2014
Dear Who:
The handling of disagreements in a
marriage has far reaching ramifications. If
not addressed properly, they can fester,
grow, and poison a marriage, sometimes
leading to its death.
A good foundation is of primary
importance to the success of a marriage.
This can only be found in active partner-
ship with Christ. A marriage having Jesus
at the center elevates the relationship,
changing it from a life lived merely for
each other, to one lived for the glory of
God. Husband and wife aspire to discern
God's perspective, His desire, His Will for
their joined lives. It is their hope to please
Him in the way they love each other and
in the life they build together. That is a
strong foundation.
The next vital element is a perpetual
attitude of appreciation. Always remind
yourself that your spouse is a precious
gift from the Lord.
With those things in mind, some of the
following suggestions have proven helpful
to successfully handle disagreements:
Prayer. Take it to the Lord and ask for
His guidance.
Timing. Consider the best time to
adequately discuss this, when other
concerns won't get in the way (ie: not
when you're hungry, under a deadline,
entertaining friends, etc).
Time Out. If tempers are flaring,
agree to a time out. But DO come
back to the matter, don't let it keep
shadowing you.
Focus. Don't get personal. Stick to
the facts.
Importance. Is this really something
worth fighting over? Is this something
that is more important to one of you
allowing the other one to compromise?
Let it be. Perhaps this is something
you cannot agree on. Acknowledge
that, with respect. Let it be.
Dear How Far:
While the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ ushered in a new way of
relating to our Heavenly Father, we believe
there is no specific "age of grace." It is not
limited to a particular period of time. God's
grace has been evident throughout time. It
began with the sparing of Adam and Eve
after their disobedience to God. He said,
"Don't," but they did. The result could have
been immediate death.
His grace has continued to be extended
through the ages. It is equally available to
those who flagrantly disregard and disdain
Him as well as to those who choose to
serve Him.
The representation of God's judgment as
`retribution' is a common mistake. It portrays
the Creator as an
angry, vindictive
Being. While our
Father is a God of
love, compassion,
mercy and grace,
He is also a holy,
pure, righteous and
just God. These,
and many other,
attributes make
up the nature and
character of God.
Holiness cannot
tolerate sin. Purity
cannot co-exist with evil. Justice does not
ignore injustice. God is God. He is Sovereign.
He has created the world and put certain
natural laws and processes into being. He
has communicated His mind and His will to
us, outlining the boundaries of spiritually
and physically healthy living. We are free to
accept or reject His plans but the eventual
price of choosing sin is certain death.
At the end of time, there will be a great
and final judgment of all individuals. Those
who have lived for Jesus in this life will
live with Him joyfully in the next, receiv-
ing eternal life. Those who have rejected
Jesus will be rejected in the next, receiving
eternal punishment. Some believe that this
is also when the nations of the world will
be judged for their conduct.
At times though, God has intervened,
bringing judgment on nations and groups.
Examples abound in the Bible and in the
history of the world, such as the destruc-
tion by fire of the grievously sinful Sodom
and Gomorrah, the destruction by flood
of the whole earth due to man's great
wickedness. In our era we can look at the
destruction of Nazi Germany as a certain
judgment of God.
Two helpful points. God is very patient.
And He always gives warnings. It is His
great desire for nations and individuals
to realize their error, to repent of their
sins, seek His forgiveness and change
their ways.
Dear Aunt Sally:
What do you do when you and your
spouse can't agree on a decision?
-- Who Gives?
Dear Aunt Sally:
Living in an age of grace, does
God still take retribution against
nations or just individuals?
-- How Far Grace?
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