The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 7:7,
"Each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that."
It is my understanding, given the context of this verse, that Paul is talking about a gift of celibacy. Why would Paul consider this a gift? Many of us find fulfillment, satisfaction and enjoyment in life through our spouses.
Preceding this verse Paul has just spoken of the need for many to marry so that they don't "burn with passion" as he mentions in a few verses later. To avoid the prospect of sexual immorality, those burdened with passion need to find the appropriate expression of it in marriage.
But Paul has this gift of celibacy and is not burdened with passion and as a result is free to focus his life on his ministry to the Gentiles. From Paul's perspective he must have felt that the ministry of the day within many churches would have been more productive if those involved were not married. As we all know, marriage, caring for our spouses, raising children, maintaining a home all take time away from other things.
But Paul was not burdened. He found his fulfillment, satisfaction and enjoyment in life in a singular relationship: that which he enjoyed with our Lord. Not being distracted, as those who are married, left him free to pursue his fulfillment, satisfaction and enjoyment in life with abandon. Certainly the book of Acts bears this out. Possibly our cultural perspective that marriage brings the most fulfillment, satisfaction and enjoyment in life is unfounded. Additionally, from Paul's experience, he may tell us that our concept of what a relationship with our Lord looks like needs some tweaking.
Beyond all this, what moves my heart this morning is that our Lord gives us gifts. These gifts provide us meaningful purpose within the body of Christ. We find fulfillment, as Paul did, as we exercise the gifts the Lord has given us when we serve others. Additionally, how wonderful for us to be part of a community where we are the recipients of ministry performed by those who have been gifted by our Lord. Peter tells us that when we exercise these gifts we are dispensing God's grace in its various forms, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10.
How wonderful is that?!
It is my understanding, given the context of this verse, that Paul is talking about a gift of celibacy. Why would Paul consider this a gift? Many of us find fulfillment, satisfaction and enjoyment in life through our spouses.
Preceding this verse Paul has just spoken of the need for many to marry so that they don't "burn with passion" as he mentions in a few verses later. To avoid the prospect of sexual immorality, those burdened with passion need to find the appropriate expression of it in marriage.
But Paul has this gift of celibacy and is not burdened with passion and as a result is free to focus his life on his ministry to the Gentiles. From Paul's perspective he must have felt that the ministry of the day within many churches would have been more productive if those involved were not married. As we all know, marriage, caring for our spouses, raising children, maintaining a home all take time away from other things.
But Paul was not burdened. He found his fulfillment, satisfaction and enjoyment in life in a singular relationship: that which he enjoyed with our Lord. Not being distracted, as those who are married, left him free to pursue his fulfillment, satisfaction and enjoyment in life with abandon. Certainly the book of Acts bears this out. Possibly our cultural perspective that marriage brings the most fulfillment, satisfaction and enjoyment in life is unfounded. Additionally, from Paul's experience, he may tell us that our concept of what a relationship with our Lord looks like needs some tweaking.
Beyond all this, what moves my heart this morning is that our Lord gives us gifts. These gifts provide us meaningful purpose within the body of Christ. We find fulfillment, as Paul did, as we exercise the gifts the Lord has given us when we serve others. Additionally, how wonderful for us to be part of a community where we are the recipients of ministry performed by those who have been gifted by our Lord. Peter tells us that when we exercise these gifts we are dispensing God's grace in its various forms, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10.
How wonderful is that?!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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