Everyone Has Their Own Opinions….

Everyone has their own opinions and beliefs about things in the Bible. Some are good and beneficial, and some are not. One in particular is the belief that Mary remained a virgin the rest of her life. I don’t understand the purpose of this notion. Why is it important to see Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a woman who never had sex? Why would God allow her to marry Joseph, and never have sex with him? Why would God want her to remain a virgin? What point does it solve or represent? Then come the bigger questions: who were the brothers and sisters talked about in this passage? Was James a liar, claiming to be Jesus’ brother? In Matthew chapter one it says, “but he (Joseph) did not have sexual relations with her (Mary), until her son (Jesus) was born”. What does “until after her son was born” mean? I guess my point is clear. We can argue about personal opinions until we are blue in the face, but we must remember, arguing non-essentials only breeds disunity, the very opposite of what the NT is all about. Is our pride worth being disobedient to God? Is holding onto a tradition worth being divided over? In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity (love). Let’s start to let go of the silly non-essential things and focus on the essentials, for they unite rather than separate what God wants “UNITED”.

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him. They stood outside and sent word for Him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and Your brothers are outside asking for You.”33 Jesus replied, “Who is My mother? Who are My brothers?” 34 Then He looked at those around Him and said, “Look, these are My mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is My brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31-35

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named Him Jesus. Matthew 1:24-25