September 25, 2024
1 Corinthians 7
The simple message of this passage is verse 17, “Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches.” We are to continue in our life path as long as we are not in defiance to GOD’s way. Our inner self should change, and we should be better husbands/wives, we should be better at our jobs, we should be better friends, etc. When I suggest we should be “better” I am saying internally. Our attitudes towards our circumstances.
The Corinthians needed guidance in their new walk. Some felt a new Christian should get a divorce to be totally devoted to the ways of the Lord. These were the Gentiles. The Jews felt they needed to be married to carry out the Lord’s instruction to “be fruitful and fill the earth”, Genesis 1:28. It is thought Paul was married because he was a member of the Sanhedrin which required members to be married. We never read about her in scripture and Paul would say, “I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am.” (Verse 8) Notice he includes widows, so the thought is Paul’s wife had died. The last thought being pure speculation, Paul continues his instructions, “But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, since it is better to marry than to burn with desire.” (Verse 9) So there is a choice to be made and in either choice you will not sin.
Having the gift of singleness is not always easy as well as having the gift of a spouse not being easy. Both should be praised and honored. The issues many single people face today can be exaggerated with the thought that no-one wants to be with me. Depression can set in. A single person who knows the LORD should exam their life and become prepared to not have the gift of a spouse. Perhaps in time God will provide for this as he did for Isaac, Genesis 24:15. A single person needs uplifting and we as their brothers in Christ should uplift them.
Therefore, be thankful if you are not married because your concerns would be divided, those for your spouse and those for God. Having the gift of a spouse, we are instructed not to divorce but to be in continual relationship with our spouse’s. Being a Christian means we are a better spouse internally. We have many instructions in scripture on being a better spouse. We are to remain in this aspect of our lives. Can you imagine the chaos if all Christians got a divorce? God is not the creator of chaos.
So, may I challenge you? You married and single people, become a better person by obeying God. Internally, your walk with Christ will become stronger. Your compassion for the lost will grow. You will be less about yourself and more for Jesus and His gospel for others. Externally, your “American Dream” will become less about worldly, material things and more about your humble walk with GOD. You will become less, and Jesus will become more, as John the Baptist said in John 3:30, and that will be ok with you. In everything give thanks to God, (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and be about the things of God. What are the things of God you ask? It would be different for each of you but reading scripture and prayer and counsel with other godly people can help lead you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive us our sin. Lead us in all aspects of our lives. Help us to be about Your ways for us. Help us to be godly in our responses. Help us to be better single people, married people, to be a better friend, a better worker, to be better internally with gratitude and appreciation towards Your will for our lives.
Amen
-David MrRoz
