In our last visit we found out that the word "called" means more than we've been lead to believe along with the word "with." It is these simplest of word revelations, that Jesus builds his church within our being, to restore our dominion over this earth. For this is our sphere of influence for the kingdom of GOD, that is now within us. Paul now moves on to discuss marriage, which will cover the rest of this chapter, it is for this reason that I will break it up into paragraphs, which has become my usual habit of form.
1Corinthians 7:25-31 "Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away." (KJV)
1Corinthians 7:25-31 "Now 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. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But 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. This 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, and 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, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away." (ESV)
1Corinthians 7:25-31 "With regards to your question whether it is proper that the young unmarried people refrain from marriage because of the times we are facing, I have no specific direction from the LORD, but here again you can trust my good advice! By the mercy of GOD I personally have no plans to get married! Especially in these stressful times I would say that it is a good thing to remain single and unattached. So my advice is, if you are already in a relationship with someone, don't quit; and if you are unattached, don't get involved. It is certainly not wrong to get married. All I am saying is that marriage brings extra challenges in an already difficult times. The urgency of these times might demand mutual sacrifices from those who are married, such as sacrificing their time together for other priorities. Even our most personal space for grief or joy is invaded; that leaves you with no time to indulge in your own interests and possessions. If you are in the process of buying something, buy as if you will never own it! Do not lean too hard upon the fragile (economic) structures of this world; they are here today and gone tomorrow!" (The Mirror)
Until next time the LORD willing, I will leave you that advice.
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