Useful Bible Studies > 1 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 7

Christians do not belong permanently in this world

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Sometimes, God acts in an especially powerful manner and many people become Christians. God’s people become strong, but their enemies become active.

That happened at the time when the first Christian churches began. It was happening in Corinth at the time when Paul wrote this letter. It has happened at many times and in many places since then.

God’s actions are evidence that the state of this world is only temporary. Wicked people will not always rule the world. That is why they fight so fiercely against God and his people. As God saves people, he is establishing his rule.

Christians must remember that they do not belong permanently in this world. God is preparing a permanent home for them in the future world, where his rule will be absolute (Revelation chapters 21 and 22). So Christians must not care too much about the things that they have in this present world.

Of course Christians should love their husbands and wives now. But they must love God more (Luke 18:29-30). Of course events in this world will sometimes make them sad, and sometimes happy. But real happiness is for the person who is ready for God’s rule in the future world (Matthew 5:1-12). Of course Christians may own possessions in this world. But the possessions that they really desire belong to the future world.

Those are the things that are really permanent. Nothing can ever destroy them (Matthew 6:19-20).

Next part: The benefits of an unmarried life for a Christian (1 Corinthians 7:32-35)

 

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© 2014, Keith Simons.