September 27, 2014
""This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord."" (1 Corinthians 7:35)
Paul is giving us in 1 Corinthians 7 a comprehensive statement on marriage. He comments on marriage, divorce, celibacy, remarriage after death or divorce, etc. In the middle of all this discussion, he gives this simple ""why"" of all he's saying. He writes to help us be fully devoted to the Lord.
DEVOTION
""Devoted"" means to be strong towards; passionate about; all in. It’s that which you think and dream about. It’s what consumes and drives and directions you. It is your center.
We are all devoted to something. For some it's their work or professional attainments. Others, it may be pleasure or comfort or ease. Many pursue material possessions. It drives them. They are completely devoted to it. The list goes on.
UNDISTRACTED
Paul's aim in the discussion is that the Corinthians would not be pulled away by lesser things...so consumed by the attractions of this world that Christ is a side issue in their lives. This is the issue for believers. Many seemingly good things can pull us away.
We love Christ and are grateful for what He has done in our lives, but we are like Martha ""worried and bothered by so many things."" The Bible says she was ""distracted"" by her housework. Mary, her sister, had ""chosen the good part which will never be taken away from her"" and was ""sitting at the Lord's feet, listening to His words."" (Luke 10:38-42)
WHAT ARE YOU DEVOTED TO?
This can be easily seen by looking at two things: our checkbook and our calendar. How we spend our time, money and attention is a good barometer of where we are.
It is easy to be pulled aside. And, if that happens, take some time to take a deliberate look at your life and then turn around. This is called ""repentance"" and is to be the constant motion of our lives when we find ourselves pulled away. You may, like Paul is suggesting in this chapter, need to align the issues of your life so they do not prove a distraction to you in your pursuit of devotion to Christ.
In the end, you will discover that there is nothing more important than undistracted devotion to Jesus and nothing more sweet. Our souls really are restless until they find their rest in H
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