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We
hold this truth to be self-evident: We trust that laws are designed
to protect both the individual and society. Laws govern our behavior while
allowing us to be free. Laws are important because they are impartial and
just. The intention of law’s design is that all people are equal and
judged on the merits of behavior in accord with the law.
We
hold this truth to be self-evident: Freedom is available to those that obey
the law. If a person does not obey the rules, then it is understood that
they stand to lose their freedom. Loss of freedom can be as much as losing
one’s life, it could be imprisonment for a determined period of time, or
it could be as little as a suspended sentence with the provision of
accountability to a court-appointed trustee.
When we read God’s word, we trust that it is God’s revelation.
The Bible reveals God’s law and the importance of obedience.
Further, when we disobey, God’s word tells us the message of
forgiveness, reconciliation, and consequence. We trust that the
full revelation of God’s love and grace are extended to us through His
one and only Son Jesus.
Simply stated, a relationship with God requires perfect obedience
to His Law. Because perfect obedience is impossible, it is necessary to trust
God’s provision for our inability. God’s provision is found only in
Jesus. We are told to receive God’s forgiveness and to be reconciled to
Him it is necessary (not recommended) that we look to the Cross of Jesus
Christ asking for forgiveness and trusting that God forgives and restores.
If we trust this, then we are saved. If we are saved, then we are free to
live. However, our lives are marked by the freedom to trust and obey.
The Bible not only tells us how to acquire the life God intends; it gives
guidance regarding how we live that new life. In this text, we find
practical application for daily living. Verses 17-24 give us
guidance by telling God’s people to trust Him in their life situations.
We read that "each person should retain (remain in) the place in
life (the situation) to which God has called him to (vv. 17, 20,
24)." In verse 19b we read: "Keeping God’s commands is
what counts." If we were to read this paragraph divorced from its
context, it could lead to difficulty. As we look at this text, we will
consider the context as we seek to understand the guiding principles of
God’s word for us today.
The Corinthian believers raised several situations to Paul. In chapter 7,
four of these are addressed.
- Is it more beneficial spiritually for
people to remain unmarried? In addition, if they are married, how is
a couple to behave?
- Should a believing partner divorce
his/her spouse?
- Should a man seek to undo his
circumcision, or should he seek to be circumcised?
- Should a persons seek to get out of
slavery, if a slave, or remain as he is?
The principle that Paul applies in his teaching is one of freedom.
However, the freedom must be exercised within the context of our
relationship with God. In the Scripture, we read that our relationship
with God is dependent on keeping His command. Keeping the command of God
requires that "we love one another because He is love."
If we trust and obey God, then we are to walk in the light of His
word. The principle of freedom requires that the motivation for all that
we do be Godly love.
First, the issue of marriage was
addressed. Paul wrote that remaining single is probably best. His
reasoning is found later in the chapter. It is best to remain single
because "the time is short" (meaning Jesus is coming
again). It is best to remain single because a person can focus on the Lord’s
work (the proclamation of the gospel in word and deed). If a person is
married, that one is naturally going to be divided between focusing on the
needs of his/her spouse and the work of the Lord. If a person is
unmarried, there is no conflict of interest, just an abiding sense of
freedom to serve God in community outreach.
However, it is not unspiritual for a person to marry. One reason for
marriage is because of the temptation to immorality. In this passage, it
is clear that the issue is one of sexuality. Because of the temptation to
immoral behavior (that is, sexual expression outside of marriage), it is
good that "each man have his own wife, and each woman her own
husband." More, it is important that the couple fulfill their "marital
duty" to one another so that they will not be tempted to look
outside of their marriage for fulfillment. There is much more that can be
said, but it goes beyond the scope of this message to address the fullness
of the marital relationship.
Second, the issue regarding divorce
is raised. Paul does not address all issues that make divorce a
possibility. The concern was about a marriage between a person that had
come to faith and a person that remained outside of the faith. Divorce, in
this case, was not an option for the believing spouse. Paul stated that
the unbelieving spouse and their children were sanctified (blessed, made
holy) through the believer. This does not mean that they are saved –
that is always a decision for each person – it means that they benefit
by the faithfulness and love of God poured out on the person that is a
believer. We might say for these people that they are in the right place
at the right time. It may be through the work of God in the believer’s
life that the others will see the transformation taking place and come to
faith and be saved (cf. 1 Peter 3:1-7).
Third, the value of circumcision
for believers was raised. Paul dealt with this at length in his letter to
the church in Galatia; here he was succinct. If a man was circumcised when
he came to faith, do not undo it; if a man was uncircumcised do not seek
to be circumcised. Paul stated that there is no value to circumcision for
the believer – what is at issue for any person is obedience to God’s
law, not the Judaic law.
Fourth, the issue of slavery was
raised. If a person was a slave, when he/she was saved, then do not let
that trouble you. However, if a person could gain their freedom then do
so. Paul was not advocating an escape from slavery, but earned freedom. In
the letter to Philemon, Paul wrote to this man that he was to receive the
slave Onesimus back into his care. Onesimus was an escaped slave that had
come to faith under Paul’s ministry. It was within Philemon’s rights
to have him put to death. Paul had convinced Onesimus to return to his
owner, and in this letter, Paul was convincing Philemon to treat Onesimus
like a brother.
In
each of the questions raised by the Corinthian believers, Paul’s concern
was that the believers lived their lives trusting God and obeying His
commands. Paul was concerned that believers’ lives would bear the
evidence of the love of God. Circumstances, life situations, do not
determine our spirituality. Our response to the love of God and the way
that we exercise our freedom in Christ is what displays our spirituality.
The Bible does not advocate slavery, but it does recognize it as a part of
the social institution – the culture of the day. Paul’s concern was
not regarding the social order; he was concerned about the salvation of
the world.
Paul was not concerned about whether, or not, a person was circumcised (in
obedience to the Jewish code). Paul was concerned that people recognize
that salvation is a matter of heartfelt love for God that was exercised in
the midst of their life situation.
Paul was concerned that there were those that were advocating divorce as
the answer to making themselves more spiritual. The thinking was that an
unspiritual partner would make life in the home more difficult. Though, in
some ways that may be true, Paul was concerned for the welfare of the
marriage and the family. He was also aware of the impact that the
believing partner could have on the family.
Paul knew that the Lord’s return was imminent. What that meant in real
time Paul was unaware. However, Paul knew how difficult it was to be
married and living in service to the Lord. The Lord’s call was to go and
proclaim/teach regarding all that Jesus commanded. To do that, Christians
need to be free of potentially conflicting responsibilities. If a person
is married, it is necessary to meet the needs of one’s spouse and
children (if there are any). At the same time, there is the need to
fulfill God’s call to minister in the world. Paul’s concern was that
people not be caught in a dilemma about what to do. That being said, it is
important to understand that the relationship of marriage is a blessed
gift from God. The home is important and is held in high regard.
Freedom to trust and obey is what we have been called to. In 1
Corinthians 6:20 and in 7:23 Paul reminded us – "You
were bought at a price…" Our freedom was secured at the cost of
God’s one and only Son. Therefore, let us not use our freedom for
anything other than trusting and obeying the One that created us to live
to His glory. Let us not think that we can be made more spiritual by:
- Acts of withdrawing from the world,
- Sacrifice of relationships with loved
ones,
- Abstaining from those things that God
gave for our joy and protection,
- Committing to those things that would
create severe hardship (physically, emotionally, and spiritually).
Together, let us celebrate the freedom that Jesus purchased for us at the
cost of His life. The blood of the Lamb of God redeemed us. Let us rejoice
and be glad. Let our lives be living sacrifices of love to God and to
those that He has brought into our lives. Let us celebrate the life that
we have been given, trusting that God is at work in us even when it seems
that we would be better someplace else.
Our God is an awesome God. He reigns over the heavens and the earth.
Nothing happens outside the counsel of His will. Trusting God and obeying
His commands, this is what counts and it is what God will always use to
transform the lives of His children until He comes again.
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