1 Corinthians 7: Contentment in Christ

The world in which we live in does not consider contentment to be a great virtue. Just turn on the TV, open the newspaper, or even search the internet and you will be bombarded with advertisements about what you need and must have. Whatever you want is at your fingertips. Unfortunately, that does not create a culture of contentment, and is something we must constantly fight against.

Paul writes to the Corinthians and talks about contentment with regards to marriage and sex. But the issue runs much deeper. In verse 24 he says, “So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.” Simply, be content. So often we can focus so much on the details of what he says about these issues that we miss the point. Though the details are important; contentment is the focus. Question: if you are not content single, will you really be content in marriage?

Paul lays the foundation in verses 17-24; that we are to live the life that God has called you to (v. 17). If not we can be like Jonah and flee to Tarshish even though he did not get really far. Instead Paul instructs us to keep the commandments of God (v. 19), and let it not be your care (v. 21). If the opportunity arises then make use of that opportunity (v. 21). Verses 22-23 strike to the heart of the issue. Paul contrasts being a freeman and being a slave. We have been bought by Christ on the cross and are slaves to him and thus free. Why would we then make ourselves slaves again?

Here is the issue. When we are not content we let our desires rule us and we become slaves to them. The object of our desire becomes our idol and we bow down at its feet. This extends far beyond the issues of marriage to work, money, toys, friends, power, etc. How many examples do we have in our world of people with unchecked desire that bring catastrophic damage to everyone around them?

Let us rather live in the true freedom of being a slave only to Christ.

Posted by Aaron