ESOCS Devotional 18 January 2023
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:25-40
MEMORY VERSE: “I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few restrictions as possible.” 1 Corinthians 7:35 NLT
Right from Bible times, men and women chose to go into marriage in order to have children. However, Saint Paul did not marry. He viewed his ability to remain single, and not distracted as a special gift from the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:7). Moreover, this gift enabled him to devote himself more fully to the business of the Kingdom.
Saint Paul had nothing against one getting married, provided the dos and don’ts of marriage are respected. But, to him, there is everything wrong with getting married to an unbeliever, against God’s will. Moreover, those who are not married should endeavour to maintain sexual purity (Matthew 5:27-28; Leviticus 20:10–21). The Bible warns that those who, without restraint, continue in sexual sins, run the risk of excluding themselves from the Kingdom of God.
The Bible also warns against other sexually related actions or behaviour. These include unbridled lusts and any sexual impure thoughts. The Bible also advises that the three most important ways to guard against sexual impurity include self-control, marriage and the cultivation of faithfulness in the marriage relationship (Galatians 5:22; Genesis 2:24).
Be that as it may, Christians should have their focus more on those things that are above and beyond the consideration of this present world system (Colossians 3:1-3). In this way, they would properly and reasonably relate to the things of this world without compromising their standards. The Christian’s goal is not to remain overly attached to the world. In other words, the believer’s aim is not to rule the world, though he is necessarily required to have dominion over all other creations.
In times of severe distress, those who remained unmarried would better commit themselves to the service of the Lord without the burden of family responsibilities. Therefore, for those who could exercise self-control, Paul advised that they remain unmarried in order to remain focused and faithful to the things of God, without distractions. But, for the majority of believers who cannot restrain their desires, they should go ahead and marry. It is better to marry than to burn with passion, Saint Paul cautioned (1 Cor. 7:9).
- Bible-approved marriage or illicit gay practice: which do you support?
- Lord Jesus, direct me aright in this age-long issue of Christian celibacy.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 46:1-13; Amos 11:1-5; Luke 7:1-10
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 18 January 2023
