THE CROSS AND CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

1 Corinthians 7:1-24
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?
Live as You Are Called
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.

The Principle of Status Quo

The gospel always makes radical change in your moral
and spiritual life, but it doesn't always make radical change
in your circumstances.

Consider sanctifying your present situation before you
consider changing it.

General rule: Stay in the situation you were in when you
were saved. (1 Corinthians 7:17, 20, 24)
Religious system
Social standing
Income stream
Job situation
Marital status

God’s character: God is sovereign and faithful in
your current situation. (1 Corinthians 7:17, 24)

Gospel values: Remember grace, pursue holiness,
and reject entitlement. (1 Corinthians 7:19, 22-23)

The Application to Marital Status

If you’re a Christian single...
…Assume your singleness is God’s will as long as your body
is content. (1 Corinthians 7:8-9, 36-40)

If you’re a Christian married to another Christian…
…Assume your marriage is God’s will as long as your spouse
is alive. (1 Corinthians 7:10-11, 39-40)

If you’re a Christian married to a non-Christian…
…Assume your marriage is God’s will as long as your spouse
is content. (1 Corinthians 7:12-16)
Thanks pastor Jim!