Free From Concern, Devoted to the Lord [1 Corinthians 7]

³²But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; ³³but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, ³⁴and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. ³⁵This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

In light of what was written previous to this chapter, especially in chapter 6, you can see that the theme of "the body is for the Lord and the Lord for the body" continues.  Now Paul is addressing each of their concerns and questions:  Should I stay married?  Should I get married?  Should I be circumcised?  Should I not be circumcised?  If I am married, should I stop having sex with my spouse?  If I am married to an unbeliever, should I leave him/her?  Should I keep my unmarried daughter, unmarried? Should I be a slave? or have a slave? All of these questions concern what to do with our bodies.  There is a recognition in each question that something may need to change, now that I have been bought with the price of Jesus' blood.

Paul, patiently deals with each question.  If you are curious about the answers, read the whole chapter in the Daily Reading section.  His answers are "not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord." What is the most important thing?  In his letter to the Galatians, chapter 5, verse 6, he sums it up by answering that question - "faith expressing itself through love." (NIV)  In other words, the focus is not to be on changing your circumstances, but rather, your faith and devotion to the One who washed you, sanctified you and justified you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 7:11).

We praise You God that You called us each, knowing what circumstance we were in. (v. 20).  You called us to be holy as You are holy.  We thank You that through Your Spirit You give us faith that expresses itself in Your love.