Recently I read an article on the journals.sagepub.com website. It was about couples committed to each other while living in separate houses.
The article implied one reason that people do this is to protect personal independence and reduce cohabitation risks. Even though this unconventional way of partnering apart isn’t new to unmarried couples, it certainly can be challenging for married couples.
Sharing finances and raising children is challenging enough, let alone managing this between two different households.
The article goes on to state, age is not always a factor. Old and young people are testing living together separately, but I wonder if this is the intent God has for us?
I believe the Bible gives us a different path to follow. In fact, living together under the same roof, is what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives today. He cohabits the believer’s body through good times and bad, in sickness and in health. He longs to advise us. He gives us wisdom to manage our finances and raise our children, not apart, but together.
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Jesus communicated a similar sentiment in John 15:4-7. He mentioned if you abide in Him, you can be sure whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. In Christ, abiding is about remaining, dwelling, and enduring together with a powerful being that can move mountains.
I can’t imagine being satisfied with living together apart from God. It’s like comparing Exodus 40:34-38 type of fellowship with John 15:6-10 and 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 type of fellowship.
In Exodus together-but-apart relationship, God’s presence was visible; however, Moses couldn’t come near God’s glory when it filled the Tabernacle. They shared a common purpose, but it was lacking spiritual intimacy. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, the relationship was upgraded to the better-together living within the same human body and equipped with gifts handed out by the Spirit. These gifts can impart wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, and more, not by living apart from the Spirit, but by the Spirit living within you.
While I understand the importance that mankind places on maintaining independence and enjoying exclusive control, I would rather live a lifetime getting to know the person that saw my imperfections, stubbornness, and failures, yet still chose me.
John 15:7-8 Paraphrased: When you’re joined intimately together, the union is sure to be abundant.
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples,” John 15:7-8 NIV.
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Brenette Wilder of Lee’s Summit, Mo., (formerly of Altheimer, Ark.), is president of Kansas City Teen Summit and blogs at wordstoinspire105953116.word-press.com.
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