But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. (I Corinthians 7:17-19)
Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. (I Corinthians 7:20-24)
In the previous lesson, Paul said, For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. (I Corinthians 7:7-11)
Paul continued the explanation of whatever condition we are in when we become a Christian, stay in that same condition; and through the power of God's Holy Spirit in us, ...be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1) Often times we are mist-taught that becoming a Christian means immediately our condition and situation will change. That's not necessarily true! We are still in this world dealing with the same problems and issues we were dealing with before our conversion, but now "...the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
When we accept God's free gift of salvation through faith in His Son, Christ Jesus, we become kingdom residence. No matter our condition here, we can deal with it and still serve God as "...true worshipers [who] will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." (John 4:23) If we show ourselves faithful to God in whatever condition we are in, He will sustain us and elevate us. But until He does, whether here on earth or in eternity, ...I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)
Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is: Are you bound to a wife [engaged]? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife [not engaged]? Do not seek a wife. But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. (I Corinthians 7:25-28)
But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away. (I Corinthians 7:29-31) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ... (Philippians 3:7-8)
But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. (I Corinthians 7:32-35)
But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin [fiancé], if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better. (I Corinthians 7:36-38)
Again, Paul is reiterating that whatever condition we are in when we become a Christian, stay in that condition. However, those who are single, whether engaged or not engaged, may want to consider staying single, because such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife or she may please her husband.
Just as he did in the previous lesson, he makes it clear that if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, in other words unable to control his sexual desires or practicing sexual immorality, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. Not everyone has the gift of singleness, so therefore they should get married; but if one has the gift of singleness, stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, then it is perfectly fine for him or her to stay single. So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
But if we are married, we are to stay that way until "death do us part"; "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:9) So when does God allow the married to "separate"? A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God. (I Corinthians 7:39-40) For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. (Romans 7:2)
The same is also true for the husband, he is released from the law of his wife when she dies. Yet again, Paul is saying if we become a widow or a widower, it is better to remain as we are. But the same rule applies, ...if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (I Corinthians 7:9)
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