Why did you get up this morning?
What is there in your life that you’re looking forward to? What makes you feel alive? What gives you the motivation to keep going when life gets difficult? What helps you forget your worries for a little while?
These questions may seem far removed from 1 Corinthians 7, a chapter that is often summarized simply as being about marriage. But as is pointed out, Paul is doing something much bigger than answering questions about marriage. Throughout the chapter, Paul keeps bringing us back to a central perspective: time and eternity.
Our understanding of those two realities should shape the way we approach every decision we make.
Marriage Is Not the Only Question
The Corinthians had apparently written to Paul with questions about marriage. Should a person get married? Should someone who is already married seek a divorce? What about a believer married to an unbeliever? What about someone who has been widowed?
Paul’s answers don’t always fit neatly into a yes-or-no category. Instead, he repeatedly says (in effect) it depends. Circumstances, age, spiritual gifts, responsibilities, the possibility of persecution, whether someone is already married: these all matter. But underneath all of those circumstances is an even more important question:
How will this decision help me fulfill my responsibilities and please God?
Paul recognized that marriage brings legitimate responsibilities. A married person has concerns about how to care for and please their spouse and an unmarried person may have greater freedom to devote time and attention to ministry. Neither condition is inherently sinful, and the question is how we use the circumstances God has given us.
The Time Is Short
Paul eventually broadens the discussion beyond marriage:
“What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;”
— 1 Corinthians 7:29 (NIV)
That statement changes the way we look at everything.
Paul isn’t saying that marriage is bad, that happiness is bad, that possessions are bad or even that we should completely withdraw from the world. Instead, he is warning us not to become engrossed in the things of this world. We live in the world, but we shouldn’t live as though this world is all there is.
John makes a similar point when he writes:
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
— 1 John 2:17 (NIV)
Everything we experience here is temporary: Our relationships, possessions, careers, homes, accomplishments, disappointments, and even the things that bring us tremendous happiness belong to this present age. Eternity changes the way we evaluate them.
Don’t Let Good Things Become Ultimate Things
One of the dangers Paul addresses isn’t necessarily pursuing sinful things. Sometimes the danger is becoming completely consumed by things that are good. Marriage, work, familt, possessions, and enjoyment are all good. But even good things can become idols when they become the ultimate things in our lives.
When we become completely engrossed in the things of this world, we can begin to act as though there is nothing beyond them. But Paul reminds us that this world in its present form is passing away. Eternity gives us a bigger picture.
Live With Undivided Devotion
Paul says that his desire is for believers to live with “undivided devotion to the Lord.” That doesn’t mean everyone should remain unmarried. Paul explicitly says that marriage is not sin. It also doesn’t mean that Christians should abandon normal responsibilities. Paul himself worked when necessary, and he understood that there are responsibilities we must fulfill in this world.
Instead, Paul is teaching us to evaluate those responsibilities through an eternal perspective.
- Where should I live?
- What should I do for a living?
- Who should I spend my time with?
- How should I use my money?
- How should I spend my vacation?
- Should I marry?
- Should I remain single?
These aren’t always questions with one universal answer. Sometimes the answer is, “It depends.” The important question is what is driving the decision? Is it selfishness? Greed? Comfort? Status? The desire to have everything this world offers? Or are we considering what will help us love God, serve others, encourage the church, and advance the Gospel?
Freedom Under the Lordship of Christ
There is a remarkable freedom in Paul’s teaching. When our lives are centered on Christ, we don’t need a rule for every individual decision. As put in the sermon, the principle can be summarized this way:
Love Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and you can do what you want.
At first, this might seem incongruous; however, if we genuinely love Jesus, our desires will begin to change to align with his desires. We won’t want to deviate: to be selfish at others’ expense, to pursue simply out of comfort, to make choices that undermine our responsibilities. Instead, we will please the One we love.
That doesn’t mean every decision will be easy, but they will have a proper foundation.
Time and Eternity
1 Corinthians 7 ultimately gives us a perspective that applies far beyond marriage: Our time is limited, but eternity is not; this world is passing away, but God’s kingdom is eternal.
That perspective doesn’t make our lives here meaningless. Quite the opposite: It helps us understand what actually matters:
- Marriage
- Family
- Work
- Friendships
- Ministry
- How we spend our time
But none of these things should become more important than God Himself. The question isn’t simply, “What will make me happy?” or, “What am I allowed to do?” or even, “What is the right answer?”
A better question is: “In light of time and eternity, how can I live in a way that pleases the Lord?”
When we see our lives through that lens, we can hold the things of this world with open hands. We can enjoy God’s good gifts without being consumed by them. We can make decisions with freedom rather than fear, and we can live with the confidence that whatever we give up for Christ in this temporary life will never compare with what awaits us in eternity.