1 Corinthians 7:24 –
Each of you, dear brothers and sisters should remain as you were when God first called you.
This chapter has many mixed signals as in relationships and marriage. Have sex or not, marry or not, divorce or not … my head is spinning after reading this chapter. As you read this you get clarity on why some denominations’ do not allow their clergy to marry. At the same time the chapter implies that marriage is ok for clergy. So you need to ask yourself what does this reading mean to your situation?
When I read the part on leaving ones wife if they were not a believer, verse 15 implies that would be allowed. But it continues in verse 16, to ask do how would they be saved otherwise? So you can see the mixed signals one could get from this reading. Now we get to this verse and one must be clear on their “calling” before setting roots. Unfortunately clarity is not simple when dealing with earthly emotions. We can quickly and easily get distracted with “our” desires and read them as God’s.
Hence why Paul says that purity and the ability to easily do so is the easiest place to serve God. In this place we remain focused on God and are able to set distractions aside. At the same time if our lust overwhelms our thoughts, in verse 9 Paul says get married so that is no longer a distraction. So what is the right answer? I believe it’s clearly a personal issue depending on one’s inner desires.
Now back to verse 24 for a quick question on knowing one’s “calling”. In some way this verse is dangerous because it could technically give someone justification not to change their ways. One could define their lives of immorality by saying that is when I was called. Hence why it’s so important to not just plug into a good Bible based church, but gain a “small group” of friends and read the Word on a daily basis. Make time to ensure your “calling” is pure and really God’s, otherwise your lustful inner desires may control your direction.