Today's Scripture
Serve the Lord…without distraction – I Corinthians 7: 32-35
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Job 20-21; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40 (CEB)
“I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.”
What does this passage mean to me/us? Contributed by Sarah Pero
Paul continues to teach the Corinthians about his views on being married or being single, and how this affects one’s service to the Lord. Paul states that an unmarried man is able to serve God unencumbered by the distraction of earthly responsibilities and the desire to please his wife. Dr. David Jeremiah states, in his commentary, that “Those who are unmarried are freer to serve the Lord without distraction. Those who are married must rightfully seek to please their spouse, as well as the Lord.” Paul dedicated his entire life to serve the Lord Jesus and to teach about the saving grace of His love to all people. He thought it best to live his life as a single man, so that he could totally concentrate on his relationship with Christ without the distraction of another binding relationship. It’s a personal choice whether we serve the Lord with a husband or a wife, or serve the Lord as a single person. We should all seek God’s will for our lives and the best way to serve Him each day, whether married or single.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, guide us all to live a life which puts You first in all things. Help us to remember that our relationship with you is far more important than any earthly relationship. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen
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