1 Corinthians 7:25-40 | "This World Is Passing Away"
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· 416 viewsSunday, August 1, 2021. 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 | “This World Is Passing Away.” God's Word does not speak to every detail or circumstance of life. Sometimes, we have to make a judgment call to know what to do. Thankfully, God's Word teaches us how to form good and godly opinions and recognize the same when we need such counsel. The church in Corinth has questions about matters that Jesus' teaching did not specifically address. This text reveals the apostle's mind at work as he reasons and wrestles with the counsel that he gives them in response. He does this in a principled and godly way that offers a framework for us when we need counsel, too, concerning matters about which God's Word provides no direct command.
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I. Reading of Scripture
I. Reading of Scripture
25 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.
27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.
29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,
30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods,
31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.
33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife,
34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.
35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin.
37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.
38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
If you receive this as God’s Word, will you say “Amen”? Amen!
[Title Slide]
1 Corinthians 7:25-40
“This World Is Passing Away”
1 Corinthians 7:25-40
“This World Is Passing Away”
II. Introduction
II. Introduction
A. Introduction to Theme
A. Introduction to Theme
“This world is passing away.”
When someone dies, we say they “pass away.”
In the immediate grief, we experience a loss and a sadness. But after a time, as the flow of tears subsides, we begin to see more clearly. What does it mean for that person to “pass away?”
If that person knew Jesus and was born again, the Scriptures say -
“to be away from the body” is to be “at home with the Lord.” (2 Cor 5:8).
And that is a wonderful thought! Such a person has really not “passed away.” We say instead they’ve “passed on.” They have “gone home.” And what does that mean for them?
While we have not passed that way before, we can make some good, informed guesses.
They are free from anxieties. They are not stressed about anything. They are not anxious about their life, what to eat or drink, nor about their body, what to clothes to put on.
They are not pressed for time. They are not checking their watches, late for appointments. Wondering what they are to do with the next minute, as if it could be their last. Death is no more! Time is not an eternal thing. Time passes away, too.
Their attention is not divided in their devotion to the Lord. God is all in all (1 Cor 15:28)! They have no reason to mourn, or cry, or have pain, for these are things that pass away too (Rev 21:4). Now they may worship with unending, undivided devotion to God!
When we think about these things, although we still experience feelings of sadness and loss, we can’t help but realize that such a person is better off than we are! In every way, except for one.
We have one opportunity that they no longer have. An opportunity to “make the best use of the time” (Eph 5:15).
An opportunity to make the most of our lives in the time that we have left. And none of us knows how much time that is.
An opportunity, as Mark Cahill calls it, to do the “one thing you can’t do in Heaven,” - the “one thing you can’t do in Heaven” - which is to be a witness for Jesus and so be used of God to win the souls of the lost for Christ!
To be used of God to see a person pass from death into life through faith in Jesus Christ.
We are to be God’s witnesses to what God will cause to pass away when by faith we follow Christ!
This world is passing away. The time is short!
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
We are to be God’s witnesses who do God’s will.
And where is God’s will to be found, that we might do it? The answer is what is revealed in God’s word.
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
God’s word reveals God’s will for us to obey and so be God’s witnesses in the time we have left.
But have you noticed, that God’s word does not offer a rule for every detail and circumstance and question we may encounter in life?
Listen to what John’s Gospel says concerning the works of Jesus —
25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
That’s just about what Jesus DID! Think about the library space needed to contain what Jesus could have said about every circumstance and question we may encounter in life, across all of these years and places? God’s Word doesn’t address everything!
God’s Word does not give me instructions on how to tie my shoes.
God’s Word does not tell me in what spot I am to park my car.
God’s Word does not tell me what I am to eat for lunch today.
These are simple examples to prove a point. But what about the not-so-simple examples?
What about the times when a decision needs to be made, and we need an answer to the way forward, and God’s Word doesn’t give an answer in the detail we want?
God’s Word doesn’t mention COVID-19 in the year 2019 and 2020 and 2021 and how the Church should adapt to that virus, if at all.
God’s Word doesn’t mention the live-streaming of church services. Should we, should we not?
God’s Word doesn’t mention mask mandates, or vaccines.
What do we do!? How do we move forward? What is our next move?
I’ll make it a little more personal to us.
God’s Word absolutely does have commands for churches. The Church belongs to God, the Church was bought with Christ’s blood, Christ is the Head of His Church. You better believe God has some very detailed instructions for who His Church should be and what His Church should do and how His Church should be protected, and fed, and equipped, and led!
But I’ve read through God’s Word - and not once have I found the name Southside Baptist Church in Decatur, AL.
What do we do, when circumstances arise in this church body. Not the churches in Decatur, but in this church body? Circumstances that God’s Word does not specifically address?
What do we do with this building? Who mows our field? How will the plants be arranged on the platform? What will the size of our budget be and where will each dollar be invested for the Kingdom?
There are circumstances, and issues that arise among us that God’s Word does not spell out.
What do we do?
God’s Word tells us that “This world is passing away.” This means at times, we are going to have to make a judgment call. Good judgments. Godly judgments. We are going to have to act on an opinion. On good counsel.
Practically, “This World is Passing Away.”
God’s Word tells us that we don’t have time to get hung up because of indecision. The time short! The time is now to move! Make a judgement! Go! We may be patient, but don’t be paralyzed.
God equips and empowers His Church to make good judgments. God gives wise counsel and godly counsel for such times as these.
B. Introduction to Text
B. Introduction to Text
I want to show you today, from God’s Word, how to make good judgments on matters that the Scripture does not specifically give a command for.
We are going to see at work the mind of the apostle as he reasons, and wrestles with counsel that he gives, and he does so in a principled and godly way. A way that provides a framework helpful to us all when we need to know what to do in a matter that God’s word does not offer a command.
What we see demonstrated from the apostle is, as Anthony Thiselton calls it, “practical reasoning in action.”
It is the exercise of, as F.F. Bruce calls it, “spiritual wisdom” (Bruce, 76).
Take notice with me first, as the Scripture identifies the kind of counsel that is being given.
III. Exposition
III. Exposition
A. What Kind of Counsel Is This? [7.25]
A. What Kind of Counsel Is This? [7.25]
7.25
7.25
25 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
A question needs answered.
A question needs answered.
And it is concerning “the betrothed.” The word for “betrothed” is the word for “virgins.” Many other translations use the word “virgins” where the ESV uses “betrothed.”
In this context, the apostle is answering a question about those who have not married, or those who have not yet married (NIGTC). This is not the widows. This is not the divorced. This is those who are single, have been single, and are not yet married.
C.Campbell Morgan suggests that this may be a question asked by Christian Fathers - “What do we do with our unmarried daughters?”
Warren Wiersbe suggests they were asking more broadly, “Must a Christian get married? What about the unmarried women in the church who are not getting any younger?” (Wiersbe, 592).
I saw a recent news piece written about a 91 year old grandfather who sends text messages to his 28 year old granddaughter frequently.
One of the messages this grandfather sent to his grandaughter read like this:
"This is grandpa. I read an article that said if you do not find a life partner by 29 you most likely die alone. Your birthday is coming up in 3 months. Just wanted to let you know. Love, Grandpa."
[https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/91-year-old-grandpa-hilarious-texts-single-granddaughter-tiktok; accessed 07 31 2021]
I remember the day I was studying in the library at Mississippi State University.
I watched as a tour group arrived - it was a group of senior citizens, grandparents, who were touring campus. They came in to visit the library and sit down for a moment.
I saw one grandfather pull out his phone, and sit down in a chair next to a girl. She smiled and they said hello.
She’s thinking “what a nice man.” Then he showed her his phone, on which he had pulled up a picture of his handsome grandson who just happened to live on campus. He was trying to set his grandson up on a date!
What about the unmarried? Should they marry? That is the general question, but specific and meaningful to the 1st Century Church of God in Corinth.
To which the apostle answers -
“I do not have a command from the Lord.”
Notice the revelation of this statement. “I do not have a command from the Lord.”
What is commanded from the Lord is known, and no command is found.
What is commanded from the Lord is known, and no command is found.
Church - before you speak to give your opinion (and I know that everyone has an opinion, and I know that every good Baptist has an opinion) make sure you know what God says first.
Make sure you know whether or not God has a command on the matter. Don’t offer someone counsel on what to do if you don’t know whether or not the Lord has a command on the matter first!
The apostle says “I do not have a command from the Lord.” This presupposes, as G.Campbell-Morgan says, that the apostle knew the commands of the Lord! He knew the teachings of Jesus!
25 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
“I give my judgment.”
The word for judgment is a “viewpoint or way of thinking about a matter” (LN). It might be better translated “opinion.” That’s what this is.
“I am giving an opinion.”
So,
What is given is an opinion, but not as a command.
What is given is an opinion, but not as a command.
This is important! The apostle does not give his counsel as if it is a command. He calls it what it is. “My judgment.” “My opinion.”
He is not saying this is the only way, or the right way. But instead, this is my way, my thinking, my opinion.
This is honest counsel.
People who are in authority can easily and even unintentionally abuse their counsel by making delivering their opinions in the form of commands. But a godly opinion doesn’t do that. A godly opinion is honest, and knows that this is not a command from Jesus.
Now, someone may wonder then - does that mean this text is not God’s Word? Is this just the apostle’s opinion? Should we skip over this?
To which we say - Every word is God’s Word. Every word!
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Peter says it this way -
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.
21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The apostle Paul is addressing a specific set of circumstances in Corinth, to which there was no command given from Jesus in his teaching, but that does not prohibit the inspiration and reception of divine counsel through godly people!
Look at what the apostle says next in verse 25 —
25 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
The apostle anchors his opinion in a thorough knowledge of the commands from the Lord, and in his ability to handle Jesus’ teaching in a trustworthy, or faithful way.
The opinion is from a trustworthy source.
The opinion is from a trustworthy source.
“as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy”
The apostle is a steward. Already in this letter, he has made clear his calling as a servant of Christ. And as special messenger of Christ, called by Christ, and a servant of Christ, he is a steward of the gospel and does not do what he does for himself, or to please anyone else - but only Christ, His Lord.
Listen to what he wrote in another place,
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
He is under examination by God for every word of counsel he gives, and he knows that! By the Lord’s mercy he is a trustworthy source of counsel.
Application note - be very careful where you get your counsel from. Be careful what well you draw water from. Is it trustworthy?
Those who shepherd God’s flock as pastors and overseers and elders in the church are required to be trustworthy.
Those who serve God’s flock as stewards of the Word as deacons in the church are required likewise to be trustworthy.
Your favorite online pastor whose sermons you listen to or watch on TV, I hope is trustworthy - but how do you know? Do you see the way that person lives outside that hour on a screen? Do you see the kinds of decisions that person makes?
Be careful who you listen to! Many people thought Bernie Madoff was trustworthy, and invested their money with him, but he was running the largest Ponzi scheme in history!
Not everyone is a good source of counsel.
The next two verses proceed to tell us what counsel the apostle gives. This is his opinion:
B. What Counsel is Given? [7:26-27]
B. What Counsel is Given? [7:26-27]
7.26-27
7.26-27
26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.
27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
There it is! That is his counsel.
But notice in verse 26 that his counsel is not given in isolation, but it has a context.
26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.
In view of the present distress
In view of the present distress
The word for “distress” ‘conveys the notion of necessity, hardship, or external circumstances which bring severe constraints or severe pressures’ (NIGTC), like “something which pinches (NIGTC).
We all know that pressures cause call kinds of decisions to bubble to the service that we never thought about.
Think about the present distress of the COVID pandemic.
They didn’t have a class in Divinity School about how to respond to pandemics in the local church!
And I have talked with pastors across multiple states, we are all figuring this out together one day at a time, and each has been under various degrees of guidance from governors, from municipalities, some more restrictive than others.
I’ll tell you this - I may not agree, but I’m not going to criticize what another pastor has decided to do regarding COVID precautions in his local church. I don’t know his context like he does. I don’t know the vulnerability of the people like he does. I don’t know the pressures he faces like he does!
I hear of people leaving a church because the pastor asked them to wear a mask. That pastor is not a virologist! He’s having to make a judgment in pressure that he thinks is best with what he knows. Because the TIME IS SHORT! And the Bible doesn’t speak to that, but one thing is sure - the mission of the Church continues!
Was there a present distress in Corinth? Some suggest there was a famine that hit in AD 51 (TTC). Was that what the apostle is speaking about?
Or is he speaking about the present distress of the day we are living in, awaiting the imminent return of the Lord? The pressures placed upon the Church because the time is short? Jesus could come back at any moment!
26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.
it is good for a person to remain as he is
Notice that in this case, the apostle’s opinion does not call for change. His opinion is to “remain.”
Some change is good. Some change is necessary. Some change is a long time coming!
The main message Jesus preached on earth was a call to CHANGE! It is called “repentance.” Turn the other way!
But sometimes not changing is best. Especially when we are walking with God.
And I think in this case, we see the apostle’s awareness of God’s sovereignty over all of life.
If we are walking with God, we are where we are and how we are because God has brought us to this point.
And if the apostle is going to make a mistake in his opinion, he is going to make a mistake by being on the side of trusting God’s sovereignty.
“It is good for a person to remain as he is.”
This is why he said in 7:23-24
23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.
24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
WITH GOD.
If you are WITH GOD - he says, ‘I’m hesitant to recommend that you change anything about that.’ That’s godly counsel because it is counsel that places the burden on God!
Again, in chapter 7:17 he says:
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.
The apostle’s counsel, his opinion, is going to leave people where they are with God and is not going to usurp what God has done by advising that they change that.
27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.
Notice the language:
you have not sinned…yet you will have wordly troubles
you have not sinned…yet you will have wordly troubles
This opinion is not placed on the same level as God’s Word. Beware of opinions that are placed on the level of, and have the force of, God’s Word if God has not spoken about it. That will not be a godly opinion.
If a person chooses not to follow this counsel, the apostle says - that person is not sinning.
If God commands something - and we transgress that command, we sin.
But this is not a command. It is an opinion.
Notice here, that the apostle considers the outcomes of what may be should the Corinthians choose not to follow his counsel. In other words, his counsel is informed by what he knows to be true.
There is a wisdom here.
This is why there is wisdom in many counsellors.
I read an article that was published and it was written to churches urging them to consider calling a young pastor. That peaked my interest!
Churches often don’t want to call a young pastor because they think he is inexperienced. And they are right!
But what the article urged churches to realize, is that young pastors today often have many counsellors and mentors, a phone call away, a text message away, a video conference away, and those young pastors are eager for counsel and often bring with them the experience of five others with them in the work they do!
So a church is not just getting a young pastor, but they are getting in reality, a team of experience being poured into him because of many counsellors.
I have found this to be true. I have counsellors. Some are peers, some are family members, some are pastors and mentors. I am on the phone every week getting counsel from someone in some form. Why? To learn, from people who have been there - TELL ME What will happen if I do this…? What will happen if I do that...!?
And when I receive that counsel, I make a judgment on it.
The apostle doesn’t GUESS about worldly troubles - he says “you will have them.” He knows this is true. And what he knows he brings to bear as he forms his opinion.
This experience is often a sign of a godly opinion.
In the next section, verses 29-31, the apostle shares WHY he gives the counsel he does. He gives a reason for it. He explains it.
C. Why This Counsel? [7:29-31]
C. Why This Counsel? [7:29-31]
7.29-31
29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,
30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods,
31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
He begins with recognition in verse 29 that:
the appointed time has grown very short. From now on...
the appointed time has grown very short. From now on...
29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,
The apostle’s opinion is NOT timeless. It is instead, time-limited. It is set within certain parameters. “From now on...”
He is not uttering with the voice of God a decree that touches ALL of space and time!
Any time we receive counsel that says “This is always what you do....” or “NEVER do this...” then our follow up question should be to ask “Where does God’s Word say that?”
My opinion, your opinion, does not apply to ALWAYS and NEVER.
A good opinion is limited to a certain set of circumstances and to a certain time.
And here, the apostle’s opinion is given so as to make much of the shortened time ahead.
The time ahead is narrowed.
This is true for all of us, but especially those of us in the later years of life. You feel the narrowing of time. The seconds click by faster than they used to.
The apostle would have us view our lives as Christians in a similar way, mindful of the quickly passing time.
He says at the end of verse 31 —
31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
If the world is passing away, the things of this world are passing away.
If we deal with the world, in the things of the world, as our motivation and fuel for life - we are dealing with fleeting things. The text doesn’t say “the world WILL pass away.” Althought, that is true.
The text says the world “IS” passing away.
The apostle’s opinion is grounded in the reality of the moment. What is now, because of what is to be soon.
If you knew that crypto currency investment was going to tank, you wouldn’t have put your life savings in it, would you?
How about this - the future is evident now. The world IS passing away. Just look around!
The apostle’s opinion - and this is true of godly opinion and wise counsel - will explain what it hopes to produce in you. The intended result.
D. What This Counsel Hopes To Produce [7:32-35]
D. What This Counsel Hopes To Produce [7:32-35]
Look with me at verses 32-35. This is what the apostle hopes for the Corinthians if they follow his counsel:
7.32-33
7.32-33
32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.
33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife,
34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.
35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
He says -
I want you to be free from anxieties.
I want you to be free from anxieties.
Freedom.
His counsel is not meant to bind or restrict them. He wants them to be free!
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Godly counsel promotes freedom! The freedom in Christ!
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
God’s commands do this. When God says “don’t” do something - it is so you won’t become enslaved to that thing.
If God’s commands do this, then the same principle is at work in godly opinions.
This opinion does not restrict or bind. Instead, it frees.
It frees from the anxieties that arise from divided interests.
This is a matter of focus.
In view of this world passing away, and the shortening of the time - FOCUS! Focus on what matters!
Is this not a message for seniors? FOCUS!
Sometimes seniors will lament that they have trouble doing as many things as they used to do. Could it be that the Lord designed this season in life for you to FOCUS? To focus on Him in your senior years?
GIVE all you have in the remaining years of your life to God! That is one investment that will NEVER be wasted. It is the best legacy to leave.
Marriage is good, but it divides devotion to the Lord. Get married if you want to and need to - but if you don’t, that is better. If God has given you that gift, then embrace it. Remain as you are, and give your all for Christ and His Kingdom!
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Verse 35 summarizes the freedoms plainly:
35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
Can these things be said of the godly counsel you are receiving?
For your own benefit
For your own benefit
Is it an advantage to you?
Not to lay any restraint upon you
Not to lay any restraint upon you
Does it encourage your freedom in Christ?
To promote good order
To promote good order
Is it appropriate? Presentable?
To secure your undivided devotion to the Lord
To secure your undivided devotion to the Lord
Does it further your worship of God and service to Him?
These are principles of godly counsel and a godly opinion and it is true of what the apostle gives to the Corinthians.
And finally, he goes one step further and gives:
E. Counsel For Those Not Following This Counsel [7:36-39]
E. Counsel For Those Not Following This Counsel [7:36-39]
7.36-38
7.36-38
36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin.
[ And notice the requirements in this verse for choosing a different advice. It not just for those that don’t like what they hear. It is not just for those that think they know better, or have a better opinion. ] —
37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.
38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
Because this is an opinion, there are options. There are allowances.
And if you choose not to follow the apostle’s opinion here, again, IT IS NOT A SIN!
This is a section of contrasts. The words “If” and “But” are employed throughout.
And a godly opinion may be accepted, and it may be rejected, without being in jeopardy of sin.
It is no sin.
It is no sin.
This is a beautiful thing about God’s Word.
It doesn’t address every problem or question in detail, because it address our core problem in total!
IV. Conclusion
IV. Conclusion
I love the honesty of God’s Word.
The could have issued decrees on these issues, but instead he was honest about his opinion - a godly opinion.
It is because God’s Word is honest in this way, we can help tell the distinction between what is God’s Word as command, and what is opinion.
And this leads us to this conclusion:
The Gospel is NOT an opinion!
God’s Word does not address every problem or question in detail, because it addresses our CORE problem in TOTAL!
And that is the problem of sin.
i. sin [FCF] | death [cross] & burial [tomb]
i. sin [FCF] | death [cross] & burial [tomb]
God’s Word tells how Jesus Christ became sin, died for our sin, was buried in the grave and raised to life in power so that we might have eternal life and be free from the bonds and burdens of sin forever!
Listen to John’s Gospel again —
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
This is the Gospel! Christ died for our sin, was buried, and was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures.
He was raised, so that we may be free, and walk in newness of life - the old having passed away.
Church - WE ARE NOT PASSING AWAY with the world!
Because of Christ, we will witness the fulfillment of:
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
C. Exhortation & Application
C. Exhortation & Application
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
May we be God’s witnesses, who do God’s will, as revealed in God’s Word.
And may we begin today!