The Time Is Short (1 Corinthians 7:25-40)

What is the most important thing in life? Everything in life is significant like birth, childhood, puberty, adult, and death. Each period and moment of life have its own turbulence and enjoyment which come to all mankind without exceptions. One thing we never forget is that there is one who is more important than anything else including marriage. He is Christ Jesus the Lord. That is the theme Apostle Paul is tackling here in the latter part of First Corinthians Chapter 7—how to live a life worthy of God’s calling because the time is short.

“Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.” (1 Corinthians 7:25-28)

Although Paul says here that he had no command from the Lord about virgins, it doesn’t mean that it is out of line with the Lord’s revelations. It is totally and completely in line with the mind of Christ the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:40). So, his judgment is trustworthy and truthful. Marriage and celibacy are both acceptable and holy in the sight of God. Both are God’s gifts to humanity. Marriage is not sinning nor is celibacy. But Apostle says that living as a virgin is better than marrying if possible. Those who marry will face troubles in this life. Paul says that he wants to spare them this.

What do the present crisis and troubles mean? It could mean a particular crisis or trouble only applicable for Corinthians back in the first century. It could mean the looming crisis approaching in Jerusalem, the destruction of the city by Romans, which happened in seventy A.D. But it is hardly true because the scriptures are written for all readers beyond time and space. It means crisis and troubles happening every day in the lives like working for living, paying mortgages, raising kids, dealing with neighbors, studying for degrees, etc. For example, parenting is extremely exhausting and strenuous for a baby demands the whole attention twenty four hours. A recent report by the journal Demography tells that parenting is worse than divorce, unemployment, and even the death of partner. It may not be true to all parents, but it has a point in telling the difficulties and troubles of parenting. How about work, driving, or study? If not married, much troubles may be spared.

“What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)

The primary reason to make life simple and focused is that the time is short. There is no time to waste for this world in its present form is passing away. There is a life to come beyond its present form. Prophet Isaiah was told to cry out, saying “All people are like grass.”

A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:6-8)

Apostle James joins to tell that our life is like a mist. “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)

How can we live as if we do not have wives or husbands? It doesn’t mean forgetting all the house works and doing the religious works only. There are some people who literally do like that, causing a lot of problems in the families. Marriage, death, property, enjoyment in life are the tools to learn what we truly are. They are not made by man but by God the Creator. Nor are they eternal. Jesus says so there will be no marriage in heaven. “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.” (Matthew 22:29-30)

No husband or wife can be replaced with God in terms of worship. Marriage is a tool for us to learn how to love one another. We shall love each other as Lord Jesus commands just as He loved us first. Through the turbulences and enjoyments in marriage we may learn the love of Christ demonstrated in the Calvary’s cross for the church. We’re not living for husband or wife but for the Lord Jesus Christ. Things in the world are necessary for living, but not eternal. For example, car is an essential tool for living but it is wearing out and being rusted. Nothing in the world will last, even the heavens and the earth shall pass away. That’s why Paul says we won’t be engrossed in things.

“I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:32-35)

Paul is saying that he would like them to be free from concern. Concern for the partners can distract the mind and heart from devotion to the Lord. The affairs of this world can easily distract us from the Lord’s affairs. Paul is saying this for our own good, not to restrict us, but that we may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. That’s what it means to live as if they do not have wives or husbands. Our interests should not be divided in this earthly life regardless of the status—married or not.

“If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better. A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 7:36-40)

It is not sinning to marry, Paul says. All is free to choose to marry as they want, especially if their passions are too strong and they feel they ought to marry. They should get married. But if they have settled the matter and are under no pressure but have control over their own will and have made up their mind not to marry they also do the right thing. How do they settle the matter and have control over compulsion? Obviously it is not working naturally. Neither does it work by devotion and will. It can be working only through following the principle of new covenant. What is it? Everything is coming from heaven above and nothing coming from the earth (us). God draws the heart and mind and provides power to follow and obey Him. It is the resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead. We are not our own but were bought a price. We’re not running the course of life any more. We’re no longer living our own but Christ’s life. That’s it! “Christ in you, the hope of glory!”

Both are right and acceptable to God. But those who do not marry by settling the matter in Christ do better and are happier because the time is short. The coming of Christ is near as Apostle Paul says in Romans Thirteenth Chapter. “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:11-12)

The life worthy of the calling we have received is to love another as our Lord Jesus gave us as the new command. “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Prayer: Thank Lord Jesus Christ for your concern for our benefits because the time is short. No one knows the time and the seasons even the Son but the Father in heaven. May God help us to be ready pure and holy for the Lord’s coming is near. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

An Exchanged Life in Christ (1 Corinthians 7:17-24)

How have we come to the situation like location, work, community, people, school, relationship, families, friends, and so forth? Have they happened accidentally and randomly? By no means! Or have they happened by our choice? No, they haven’t although we reason and make the choices. It’s all happened by the hand of God in His great wisdom and foreknowledge. Humans unlike robots have will power to choose. We can exercise our own will power to the degree of 100%. No one can deny the power to choose by any degree, not even God. Even if we exercise it freely it is still in the perimeter of God’s foreknowledge. Listen to what Apostle Paul says.

“Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.” (1 Corinthians 7:17)

Paul just said that both marriage and celibacy are permissible and holy in the sight of God. There were some in the church of Corinth who were living with unbelievers. Paul gave the treatment that as long as an unbeliever was willing to live with a believer they must not divorce. No matter what situation it may be, the Lord has assigned to them. The divine hand of God is behind for every believer in any situation. The divine calling of God works exactly the same as putting the believers into the proper situation. That’s called sanctification, God’s strategic placement. It is impossible for humans to choose God. Instead, God choose with His eternal wisdom and foreknowledge. This doctrine applies to all the churches in the first century and twenty first century.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16)

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30)

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Ephesians 1:4-6)

The world complaints that some are more favored than others in terms of race, wealth, proximity, community, family, and blood. It’s not so. There are so many testimonials even in the world to say that is not true. The Scripture says that God is just and faithful and in Him no favoritism can stand. The reason God chose Israel was not based on favoritism as Moses said, “The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.” (Deuteronomy 7:7)

There is no value in man to Holy God. “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” (John 2:24-25) In terms of having difficulties and troubles, stresses and pressures in life all is equal regardless of race, wealth, profession, education, experience, and family and blood. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) All is born in Adam who is the pattern of mankind.

“Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.” (1 Corinthians 7:18-20)

If someone was circumcised when he was called he should not become uncircumcised and vice versa. The Jews are circumcised on the eighth day of birth whereas the Gentiles aren’t. Of course, these days many a babies among non-Jews are circumcised for health reason. The first circumcision in the Scripture appears in the life of Abraham. It was happened after he was called righteous (Genesis 17:24). The order is so significant that he didn’t earn the righteousness of God through the circumcision. It was the faith in the promise of God that he was made righteous. It is the symbol for the death of human pride, crucifixion. Circumcision itself is nothing and nor is uncircumcision. The obedience of God’s command matters all. It is useless to attend the Sunday services and to give offerings if they do not love one another. External activities do not count at all. Jesus says in the parable of the sheep and the goats what it truly counts before the judgement seat of God.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:34-40)

So, each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Race, wealth, education, heredity, and proximity shall remain the same in Christ Jesus. Blacks don’t need to be whites and whites don’t need to be blacks. Soldiers don’t need to be civilians and civilians don’t need to be soldiers. Those who have tattoos don’t need to remove them. What really matters is transformation and change in heart and mind in handling the lives for they have been liberated and set freed from the bondage of darkness and confusion and become the children of the kingdom of light.  

“Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.” (1 Corinthians 7:21-24)

In the first century, one out of two was a slave. So, in the churches many slaves mixed with freemen. Although they remained in slavery physically they were indeed the Lord’s freed people spiritually. In the same way, those who were free physically when called is Christ’s slave spiritually. All the called in Christ Jesus were bought at a price, so they are not their own and nor slaves of human beings. “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:14) All the called in God’s grace are the captives of Christ. “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: ‘When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.’” (Ephesians 4:7-8)

We are not living any longer our own life but Christ’s life because we died to sin with Him. We no more run and drive our lives but the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. We go when told to go, we stay when told to stay. It’s an exchanged life we live now and forevermore. The life we live now in Christ is eternal since we belong to Christ Jesus the Lord who has freed us from the bondage of the devil. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Just as no one can deny our will to choose, so also no one can exercise authority over others on God’s divine strategic placement. Each one is responsible to God whether accepting and obeying Him or not. Apostle Paul prays for all the saints to understand the depth and the height and the width and the length of the love of Christ, to be strengthened with power through the Spirit out of God’s incomparable and glorious riches, and to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Prayer: Our loving Father in heaven, thank you for your infinite wisdom and foreknowledge that we have been called and placed in the situation to advance your divine program. We don’t understand at times and can’t see all but thank you for the blessings and promises through which we can perfectly trust in Awesome God who did not fail to send His Son Christ Jesus to purge out our sins and transgressions at all. In Christ’s name. Amen. 

Marriage Bed Is Undefiled (1 Corinthians 7:12-16)

What if one partner is not a believer in a marriage? It’s still a holy marriage in the eyes of God. Marriage is for all humanity both believers and non-believers. It’s a way of God’s teachings to demonstrate what life really is. It’s is a significant instrument in our human lives. It’s also a divine provision from heaven not only for our happiness and joy but for the revelation of God on the mystery of marriage.

“To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.” (1 Corinthians 7:12-13)

These days divorce is so rampant and widespread that families fall apart. God hates divorce, Prophet Malachi says. “The man who hates and divorces his wife," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "does violence to the one he should protect," says the LORD Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.” (Malachi 2:16)

The Scripture also tells not to be yoked with unbelievers. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14) It means a believer shall not marry with an unbeliever. There is no commonality between righteousness and wickedness which diabolically oppose each other. Christians live by a different drum bit, following Christ Jesus, not the world. The world is the object of love and mercy as the Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His begotten Son.” (John 3:16) But the world is not the friend of believers because there is no fellowship between light and darkness.

These are not the cases here Paul is telling. The cases are what if one side became a believer after the marriage. Both might not be believers at the time of marriage but later either husband or wife converted by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord. In these cases, they must not separate or divorce.

What does it mean by the saying of Paul, “I, not the Lord.” It does not mean that it is something we can ignore completely. No. Apostle Paul was an authorized spokesperson for our Lord Jesus Christ. He was not one of the Twelve but received the revelations from none other than the Lord Jesus Himself. “I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:12) He wasn’t taught by any other Apostles like Peter or John, but by Jesus Christ the Lord. When he says “I, not the Lord,” it means the revelation was not taught by Christ Jesus Himself but out of his mind and heart and then the Holy Spirit approved it.

Suppose one is a believer and the other is not it is not allowed to divorce as long as the unbeliever is willing to live with the believing partner. It’s still a legitimate and holy marriage before God. Paul is saying this because some believers in Corinth thought that having sexual relations with unbelieving partner would cause defilement. Paul further explains why.

“For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.” (1 Corinthians 7:14)

In such cases, divorce must not happen because the unbeliever has been sanctified (by God) through the believing partner. Sanctification means putting things to the right use. God declares this marriage is holy and undefiled through the believer. So do the children. It doesn’t mean the salvation of the unbeliever and children. It means God permits such marriages as acceptable and holy before Him. Because of the believing partner, the unbeliever may be closer to the salvation of God.

“But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?” (1 Corinthians 7:15-16)

But if the unbeliever wishes to leave, then separation or divorce is permitted. The believing husband or wife is not bound in such circumstances. They are free from the bond of marriage in such cases. God has called us to live in peace. In such circumstances it would be chaotic and destructive and even dangerously harmful if the unbeliever opposes violently and catastrophically the believer who practices the faith in Christ. It is acceptable and permissible for the believer to let the unbeliever go.

What does it mean by saying, “How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?” It doesn’t mean to say that the believer shall endure until the unbeliever is saved. Instead, it supports the previous argument that since the believer does not know whether they will save the unbeliever let them go. In such cases God sees the marriage has been broken and thus let it be so.

Prayer: Father in heaven, Thank you for teaching us a significant truth that God is behind in every marriage. Even the unbeliever is sanctified by the believer in marriage and so do the children. Thus, such marriage beds are not defiled. Help us Lord to take careful heed on the revelations of truth. In Christ’s name. Amen.