06/15/2026
1 Corinthians 7:17-40
In view of the world’s present circumstances and the imminent return of Christ, how are we as God’s people called and commanded to live?
Be content with your assignment from the Lord (7:17-24).
Be concerned with the things of the Lord (7:25-35).
Be committed with doing right by the Lord (7:36-40).
Finishing up the topic of marriage, the Apostle Paul continued by challenging the Corinthians in vs. 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.”
So, if you’re uncircumcised, don’t feel like you can’t serve God unless you get circumcised. If you happen to be a slave, don’t feel like you can’t serve God unless you get your freedom. And regardless of your marital status, don’t feel like you can’t serve God unless there are significant changes in your life—either getting married or becoming single. The reason is because whatever position you are in, unless it is sin, that is the position God has called you to and has currently assigned for your life. Therefore, be faithful to the LORD in the role He has called you as a representative and reflection.
Applying this more broadly:
- If you are student, be the best student you can be. Be the light in your school. Submit to your teachers and honor them as the authorities whom God has entrusted to prepare you for the next phase of life. Be a witness for Christ to your classmates and live as an example of godly character in the midst of your crooked generation.
- If you are a slave, serve your master in the very best way. Go above and beyond in your work and look for ways to bless the one who oversees your life, knowing that you ultimately serve a much greater and higher Master (Colossians 3:23). If you can gain your freedom and truly want it, then go ahead. However, don’t feel like you can’t make an impact for the Gospel when you are stuck in a lifelong situation as that because you have opportunities to exemplify Christ that others will never be afforded. So, live in such a way that wins the heart of your master to salvation.
- If you are single, be faithful and walk with the Lord in obedience. Don’t give yourself over to sexual immorality but present your body as holy to the LORD. Use your singleness—your time, energy, abilities, money, and attention—to get the Gospel into more places and to more people than ever before.
- If you are married, make your goal to be the godliest wife or the godliest husband you could possibly ever be by submitting ultimately to God and the roles He has prescribed for the marriage relationship. If you are the wife, honor your husband, build him up, and willingly and humbly submit yourself under his authority just as the Church submits to Christ and Christ submits to God. If you are the husband, love your wife unconditionally and without reservations. Lead her in the way of the Lord and lay down your life for her every day so that in the Day of Christ’s return you may present her as holy and in splendor (Ephesians 5:22-33).
- If you are ________________ (fill in the blank), be faithful to Yahweh in the role He has called you as a representative and reflection.
In view of the world’s present circumstances and the imminent return of Christ, God has called and commanded us to live in this way:
Be content with your assignment from the Lord (7:17-24).
Be concerned with the things of the Lord (7:25-35).
Be committed with doing right by the Lord (7:36-40).
A lot of our problems stem from a discontented spirit. It’s why affairs take place, because one or both parties are discontented. It’s why gambling is so pervasive, because we as humans are so often discontented with what we already have. It’s why there’s theft, often murder, and even why society today is so depressed, because of discontentment. Therefore, be content with your assignment from the Lord and focus yourself on being concerned with the things of God as well as committing yourself to doing what’s right according to His Word and His will for your life.
Keep this in mind: It is not your place to question Him, but it is your responsibility to trust in Him and it is your assignment to walk with Him.
