Can't Get No Satisfaction
I Corinthians 7:29–35
“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. 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.”
Earlier in his letter St. Paul wrote: “I wish that all were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that… (I Cor 7:7).” The Apostle Paul did not have to worry about the extra problems and stresses that come with marriage or family. He devoted his entire life to spreading the Word of God. He would not have been such a useful messenger if he had been married, in contrast is the Apostle Peter who was married and the LORD had healed His mother-in-law (Matt 8:14–15, Mark 1:29–31, Luke 4:38–41). St. Paul advises the Corinthians, says Bible commentator Matthew Henry, “by reason of the present distress, (pertains to the challenges of living a Christian life in an immoral and hostile world) to keep themselves unmarried; hints the shortness of time, and how they should improve it, so as to grow dead and indifferent to the comforts of the world; and shows them how worldly cares hinder their devotions, and distract them in the service of God.” However, as St. Paul himself admits it might be desirable and efficient but singleness and celibacy aren’t for everyone. There are strengths and weaknesses to these statuses, some do well individually, and some, as gotquestions.org writes “do better as a team, serving God as a couple and a family. Both kinds of people are equally important. It is not a sin to remain single… the most important thing in life is not finding a mate and having children, but serving God.” May we all find satisfaction in God alone in every circumstance, may we draw strength from Him daily and let Him refresh, renew, and inspire us. Pray and relate to Him as one of the most important, indeed, THE most important relationship in our lives. LORD Jesus Christ, like St. Augustine of Hippo in 400s AD we beseech You, “You have made us for yourself and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”
“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. 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.”
Earlier in his letter St. Paul wrote: “I wish that all were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that… (I Cor 7:7).” The Apostle Paul did not have to worry about the extra problems and stresses that come with marriage or family. He devoted his entire life to spreading the Word of God. He would not have been such a useful messenger if he had been married, in contrast is the Apostle Peter who was married and the LORD had healed His mother-in-law (Matt 8:14–15, Mark 1:29–31, Luke 4:38–41). St. Paul advises the Corinthians, says Bible commentator Matthew Henry, “by reason of the present distress, (pertains to the challenges of living a Christian life in an immoral and hostile world) to keep themselves unmarried; hints the shortness of time, and how they should improve it, so as to grow dead and indifferent to the comforts of the world; and shows them how worldly cares hinder their devotions, and distract them in the service of God.” However, as St. Paul himself admits it might be desirable and efficient but singleness and celibacy aren’t for everyone. There are strengths and weaknesses to these statuses, some do well individually, and some, as gotquestions.org writes “do better as a team, serving God as a couple and a family. Both kinds of people are equally important. It is not a sin to remain single… the most important thing in life is not finding a mate and having children, but serving God.” May we all find satisfaction in God alone in every circumstance, may we draw strength from Him daily and let Him refresh, renew, and inspire us. Pray and relate to Him as one of the most important, indeed, THE most important relationship in our lives. LORD Jesus Christ, like St. Augustine of Hippo in 400s AD we beseech You, “You have made us for yourself and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”
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