When I get married I will walk with God. If I was only single then I would walk more closely with the Lord. I’ll wait for the divorce to come through and then I will be free to see God use me. If I get remarried then I will back on track and God will start to work through me again. Nonsense. Just stay as you are. Stop playing around with whatever circumstance you find yourself in. Ignore whether others are more happier than you. For you, right now, you can have a walk with Jesus no matter your circumstance. That’s the pastoral advice from the Apostle.
“Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.” (1 Corinthians 7 v 17-24)
So embrace your current situation, the season you are in, who you are. Just stay as you are. God can use you right now as you are. Stop trying to change to prove or earn favour. It’s just tiring.
Of course Paul isn’t saying remain in a sinful profession or continue to live sinful lives. We are called out from such. Neither are we being forbidden from changing our status whether married or single. This is about motive.
If you’re waiting for something perfect to come along to begin to live out your faith and work for God then you will be waiting a long time.
Afterall transformation happens not because you have changed your external circumstances but by allowing God to work through them.
One more important thing to ponder on is verse 23. In a culture where everyone was used to seeing men and women in the market place with price tags around their necks, Paul says ‘do not become slaves of human beings’. This command is pertinent to us not because of the threat of literally being a slave but because of the various potential masters that overshadow our lives:-
- The opinion and expectation of others.
- Cultural pressures and societal norms.
- Religious legalism and human traditions.
- Unhealthy relationships.
- Material possessions and the pursuit of them.
- The approval of others.
Just stay as you are. That list is nonsense. It is degrading. It is enslaving. You belong to Christ. He bought you for a price. It cost Him. So stay as you are.
Missions Paul 