Sam Cotten

Better than yesterday’s pizza…

First – Read the Passage

My “Sunday’s Leftovers” on Corinthians series make no sense if you don’t read the chapter first. Here it is. 1 Corinthians 7 [+/-]1 Corinthians 7 [7:1]Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." [2]But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. [3]The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. [4]For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. [5]Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. [6]Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. [7]I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. [8]To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. [9]But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. [10]To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband [11](but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. [12]To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. [13]If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. [14]For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. [15]But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. [16]For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? [17]Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. [18]Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. [19]For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. [20]Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. [21]Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) [22]For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. [23]You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. [24]So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. [25]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. [26]I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. [27]Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. [28]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. [29]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, [30]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, [31]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. [32]I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. [33]But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, [34]and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. [35]I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. [36]If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry--it is no sin. [37]But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. [38]So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. [39]A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. [40]Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. (ESV)
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Dazed and Confused?

Don’t be alarmed – most are. It is VERY helpful to know some things before you read this chapter. First of all, most scholars think Paul is writing to correct some folks who think Christianity means they should withdraw from the world. They apparently were saying that, as Christians, they had already escaped this age and entered the next, and so they should remove themselves from the world and be purely spiritual. Ever known somebody like that? Well, church history is full of that kind of thinking, and it is a trap. They were saying that sex was bad, marriage was no longer necessary, gender roles were unnecessary, etc. At least, that’s the prevailing theory on what Paul was writing to, and it does make the chapter seem to make sense.

How to Remain

I think there are two key passages in the chapter. The first is on “remaining”, and is 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 [+/-]1 Corinthians 7:17-24 [17]Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. [18]Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. [19]For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. [20]Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. [21]Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) [22]For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. [23]You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. [24]So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. (ESV)
. The second is on living life from an eschatological (end-times) perspective, and is the second half of the chapter. I think the key thoughts from that section are 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 [+/-]1 Corinthians 7:29-31 [29]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, [30]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, [31]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)
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Remain? What does that mean? Verse 24 seems especially confusing (So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God). “Called” here is a reference to the moment of your coming to Christ. So, it seems to be saying that whatever life situation you were in when you got saved, you have to remain in. And, that often is what it means! But, not always, because look 3 verses earlier, 1 Corinthians 7:21 [+/-]1 Corinthians 7:21 [21]Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) (ESV)
. There, if you were a slave when you were called, you should not worry about it, but if you can improve your situation, you should. Note, however, that the primary interest of the Gospel here is NOT your slavery, but whether or not you accept your life situation as being an assignment from God. The idea here is that God is sovereign, so wherever you are, you are there by the will of God. Paul is saying that the first duty of a Christian is not active, but passive. Before we actively do for God, we passively accept that God is in control, and that he has assigned our life situation to us. I am using the word “passive” on purpose, because I know it offends our American sensibilities. We like to think that we are in control, and that because we are people of destiny, we get to effect change. Many times, that is true! We are people of destiny, and God gives us mighty authority to advance his kingdom. But let us not forget, it is HIS kingdom. Where we already are, not just where
we are going is destined by God. Once we submit to God, we are set free to see where He is taking us. We are like Isaac, who willingly laid down his dreams and climbed up on that altar to be his father’s sacrifice (Genesis 22 [+/-]Genesis 22 [22:1]After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." [2]He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." [3]So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. [4]On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. [5]Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." [6]And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. [7]And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" [8]Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. [9]When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. [10]Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. [11]But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." [12]He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." [13]And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14]So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided." [15]And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven [16]and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, [17]I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, [18]and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." [19]So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba. [20]Now after these things it was told to Abraham, "Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: [21]Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, [22]Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel." [23](Bethuel fathered Rebekah.) These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. [24]Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah. (ESV)
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So, You Wanna be a Prophet?

This chapter is not about prophets. It really isn’t! But, let me adlib a little. Everybody wants to be a prophet today. Everybody has a word: “brother, I’ve got a word for you…”. But how much word is actually in us? How much vision do we really have? If you want to hear from God, try dying. Learn to be Isaac. Learn to remain. Once you do so, something magical will happen: your eyes will be opened. Prophets are those who reveal our place on the big, sweeping, majestic plan of God. God’s redemptive-historical time line will culminate in Christ, both with blessing and cursing. Prophets are those who reveal to nations, individuals, cities, and churches where they stand for blessing and cursing in relation to what God is doing towards culminating redemptive history in Christ. You see, that’s the only kind of history in the end, and every human alive will be judged by their relation to it.

Prophets see the future. But the first future they see is not revelational. It is theological. To be precise, it is eschatological. It relates to the end times. We are the people of the eschaton (the end times). The eschaton has already come! When Jesus came to earth, the Kingdom of God made a breathtaking breakthrough into our age. It invaded, and when Jesus cast out demons, it was the first rupture of this age. The ruler of this age was unarmed, and a new King emerged; the rightful King, the One who made everything. He began the process of unseating the interloper, the bastard self-prince, Satan. The Kingdom of God is most naturally conceived of as purely in the future. But here’s the thing – it really did come in the person and ministry of Christ. Yes, it is hidden, small, and in part – BUT IT IS HERE! That’s why the eschaton is upon us, and that is why we are end times people NOW.

Paul steps into a bit of a prophetic mode in verses 29-31. Only if you read this passage from an eschatological perspective does that passage make any sense. Do you realize that everything on this planet will melt in the heat when the Kingdom comes (2 Peter 3:1-13 [+/-]2 Peter 3:1-13 [3:1]This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, [2]that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, [3]knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. [4]They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." [5]For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, [6]and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. [7]But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. [8]But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9]The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. [10]But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. [11]Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, [12]waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! [13]But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (ESV)
). You will not be married any more (Matthew 22:30 [+/-]Matthew 22:30 [30]For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. (ESV)
). Whatever you do in your 9-5 now, you will not do then. There will be no corporate ladder. You will have no money. The house you live in, you will not live in then. Fashion will be gone, Wall Street will be destroyed. There will be no stockbrokers. No debt. No banks. No construction loans. All gone. Zap.

God’s Law and You

OK – I tried to step on your toes by telling you that your first Christian duty is passive. Now, let me do it again. God’s law is not an Old Testament idea. It is a God idea. This passage is incredibly offensive to people, because it says:

1. You can’t get a divorce from your believing spouse
2. If you do, you can’t remarry
3. You can’t even leave your unbelieving spouse!

Now, with that said, there are biblical reasons for divorce, but that is another blog. Paul gives one here (verse 15). But with that said, do you see that the Law of God in this passage is like a box? There are situations in which a divorcee cannot remarry! There are situation in which a miserable married person can’t get a divorce! Doesn’t God want me to be happy? Of course he does! The point here is that God values your happiness infinitely more than you do. Left to our devices, we would choose temporary happiness. We’d disqualify ourselves from eternal bliss for the sake of earthly joy. But God loves us way too much to let us do that. So, he gives us His law. His law teaches us to feast on the age to come, not this present age. It oriented us to true north, actual reality. It teaches us the ways of the Kingdom of God. Now, this obviously puts us at odds with this age, because (remember) the Kingdom will burn up this age when it comes. The thing that will one day burn up this age (the Kingdom) is already present in our lives. Anybody sense the conflict here? Your life is the stage this divine drama is played out of, the manifestation of the age to come. It is God’s law that initiates this conflict. It keeps us from accepting the status quo, forcing us to orient ourselves towards heaven; and, thereby, bringing us into conflict with this world.

Is Jesus Worth It?

We are not living Christian lives until we see our lives as a gift. When God and His law bring us into pain, and make us stay there, this is the greatest gift of our lives. It is then that we are closest to the Kingdom of God. At that moment, we share the fellowship of his sufferings. Let me ask you something – is anybody going to get to heaven and be able to make a speech to God about how difficult it was serving Him? Are we going to stand in the light of His presence and say “Lord, I really gave up a lot to serve you. It was so hard!” NO, NO, NO! We are going to say “Lord, thank you! I gave up nothing for you! Even the pain was a gift from you!”. That’s what Paul says (in essence) in 2 Corinthians 4:17 [+/-]2 Corinthians 4:17 [17]For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (ESV)
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In short, it is worth it following Jesus. May we believe that the Kingdom of God really is more valuable than anything else in this life, and may we give all we have to possess it (Matthew 13:44-46 [+/-]Matthew 13:44-46 [44]"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. [45]"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, [46]who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (ESV)
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