July 20, 2015
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:25-35
25Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods,31and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
32I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
Questions for Reflection:
How does Paul introduce his instruction in this section of Scripture? Why do you think Paul qualified his instructions with that statement? In his sermon yesterday, Bret quoted verse 28. Actually, he even put it into a motivational poster that looked like something from Successories.
Why does Paul make this statement? How does he expand upon this? Paul’s goal was to instruct and help the church. They lived in a time where the church would face increasing persecution and many would lose their lives for their faith. Paul was warning them that if they were married, their worries would multiply as they watched their spouse encounter those troubles as well. If you’re married, spend time today praying for your spouse. Pray for your heart toward them. Pray that through your love for them they will see a greater picture of God’s love for them. If you are single, pray for a couple that God has placed in your life. Pray that God would strengthen their marriage.