1 Corinthians 7. Day 158 - The New Testament in a Year

1 Corinthians 7. Day 158 - The New Testament in a Year

Marriage and Singleness. Living as You Are Called. Devotion to the Lord. 

"Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him.  1 Corinthians 7:17

  Podcast Script: The New Testament in a Year

Hosted by Sean Bailey

Opening Statement:

Welcome to "The New Testament in a Year." I'm your host, Sean Bailey. Today, we're continuing our journey through the Bible, focusing on 1 Corinthians Chapter 7. Reading and understanding scripture is crucial for every believer because it helps us grow in our faith, strengthens our relationship with God, and provides guidance for living a Christ-centered life.

Review of the Previous Chapter:

In the previous chapter, 1 Corinthians 6, Paul addressed issues related to lawsuits among believers and sexual immorality. He emphasized the importance of maintaining purity and honoring God with our bodies, reminding us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

Context for 1 Corinthians Chapter 7:

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul responds to questions from the Corinthian church regarding marriage, singleness, and sexual relations. This chapter offers practical advice on various aspects of relationships, highlighting the importance of contentment and devotion to the Lord in whatever state we find ourselves—married or single.

Look-Fors:

1. Marriage and Singleness:

   • 1 Corinthians 7:1-2: "Now in response to the matters you wrote about: 'It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.' But because sexual immorality is so common, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband."
     • Paul acknowledges the value of singleness but advises marriage as a safeguard against immorality.
     • He emphasizes mutual responsibility within marriage.
     • Marriage is portrayed as a partnership with mutual respect and care.

2. Living as You Are Called:

   • 1 Corinthians 7:17: "Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches."
     • Paul encourages believers to remain in the life situation they were in when they were called to faith.
     • This teaching promotes contentment and faithfulness in one's current circumstances.
     • The focus is on serving the Lord effectively wherever you are.

3. Devotion to the Lord:

   • 1 Corinthians 7:32-34: "I want you to be without concerns. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But the married man is concerned about the things of the world—how he may please his wife—and his interests are divided."
     • Paul discusses the benefits of singleness for undivided devotion to God.
     • He contrasts the divided interests of married and single believers.
     • The underlying principle is to prioritize devotion to God in all aspects of life.

Character Traits Revealed About God:

• Wise: God's wisdom is evident in Paul's practical advice on relationships, showing that God understands human nature and provides guidance to help us live rightly.
• Caring: God cares deeply about our personal lives and provides direction to protect us from harm and help us thrive.
• Holy: God's call to purity and devotion reflects His holy nature, encouraging us to live lives that honor Him.

Reading of 1 Corinthians Chapter 7 (CSB):

[Read the full text of 1 Corinthians 7]

Devotion Takeaways:

1. Embrace Your Current Situation:

   • Paul teaches us to be content and serve God in our current circumstances.
   • This encourages us to trust that God can use us effectively wherever we are.
   • Practically, we should focus on our relationship with God and seek His will in our daily lives.
   • Objective: Trust God with your current situation and seek to serve Him faithfully.

2. Pursue Purity in Relationships:

   • Paul emphasizes the importance of purity within marriage and singleness.
   • This calls us to honor God in our relationships, avoiding sexual immorality.
   • We should set boundaries and seek accountability to maintain purity.
   • Objective: Strive for purity in your relationships, honoring God with your body.

3. Prioritize Devotion to God:

   • Paul highlights the benefits of undivided devotion to God.
   • Whether married or single, our primary focus should be on pleasing the Lord.
   • We should schedule regular time for prayer, Bible study, and service to keep our devotion strong.
   • Objective: Make your relationship with God your top priority, dedicating time and effort to grow in your faith.

Preview of the Next Chapter:

Next time, we'll explore 1 Corinthians Chapter 8, where Paul discusses the issue of food sacrificed to idols and how our actions can impact others. Stay tuned for insights on living a life of love and consideration for fellow believers.

Episode Description:

In this episode of "The New Testament in a Year," we explore 1 Corinthians Chapter 7, where Paul addresses questions about marriage, singleness, and sexual relations. We'll provide detailed context to help understand the significance of Paul's advice and how it applies to our lives today.

We'll focus on three key "look-fors" to guide our reading: the roles within marriage and singleness, the importance of living as you are called, and the benefits of undivided devotion to the Lord. Following the reading, we'll discuss three devotion takeaways that offer practical applications for improving our walk with Christ, such as embracing our current situation, pursuing purity, and prioritizing our devotion to God. Join us as we gain deeper insights into how to live faithfully in our relationships and everyday lives.