Day 99: Just the way you are – 1 Corinthians 7 vs 17 – 31
17 Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. 18-19 For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.
20 Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21-23 Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you - but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.
25 Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I don't have a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you. 26 Because of the impending crisis, I think it is best to remain as you are. 27 If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married. 28 But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.
29 But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. 30 Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. 31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. 1 Corinthians 7:17-31 English Standard Version.
Can you think of a possible reason for why Paul wrote the words we read in vs 17-19?
It could be that when someone becomes a Christians they may feel they have to make drastic changes in their circumstances. That would be true if someone was involved in something illegal or disgusting, but it wouldn't be necessary in most situations. But it could also have been because some new believers were being unsettled by other Christians who said these new believers would be 'more spiritual' if they ‘got married', or if they ‘stayed single', or'if they ‘were not slaves' . . . or if they ‘joined this or that group or had this or that experience.' People often like to dictate to others what they should do.
But Paul says that when we become a Christian we should realise that God loved us just as we were when He called us. Doesn't matter if we were rich or poor, good-looking or plain, or from happy homes or sad ones. We don't need to rush off and try and make a whole lot of changes in our circumstances. (That comes out in vs 20-23) And one of the biggest changes we can make in life is starting a relationship and getting married. What does Paul suggest in vs 25-28 is a big factor to consider before making such a decision? (See also vs 31)
I think Paul's saying that we should view decisions like marriage in the same way we should view other issues in life (which he mentions in vs 30-31), and that is, with an eye upon eternity - as well as on what is happening in the place where we live. It may be that Paul was expecting Christ's return very soon at that time. We should all live with that in mind. But sometimes there are local issues that face us. There’s much more danger for Christians in North Korea today than in the North of England where I live. The important thing to keep in mind is that God loves us the way we are – married or unmarried. Look at what Paul even said in vs 21-23 to Christians who were slaves to encourage them to trust God in their circumstances.