«　WEEK 7　DAY 4　»

　　1 Cor. 7:12 But to the rest I say, I, not the Lord, If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she consents to dwell with him, he must not leave her.

　　25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who has been shown mercy by the Lord to be faithful.

　　Every word spoken by Moses in Deuteronomy was God’s word. Moses might have expressed something of his own feeling, but even this became the word of God. His speaking in Deuteronomy was like Paul’s speaking in 1 Corinthians 7. In that chapter Paul said, “I have no commandment of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who has been shown mercy by the Lord to be faithful” (v. 25). Later, after expressing his opinion, he said, “I think that I also have the Spirit of God” (v. 40). Eventually, because Paul was a man constituted with God, his opinion became a part of God’s word as the divine revelation in the New Testament. In his speaking he was one with God; therefore, what he spoke was God’s speaking. (Life-study of Deuteronomy, p. 14)

　　It is important to see this principle of being absolutely one with the Lord in all circumstances, situations, and conditions. If we are mindful of this principle as we read 1 Corinthians 7, we shall see that Paul is utterly one with the Lord and that in his instructions and answers he spontaneously and unconsciously expresses such an absolute spirit. Because Paul had this kind of spirit, he could answer the Corinthians’ questions in a clear and absolute way, in a way that would help them also to become one with God in their situation.

　　Paul’s answers are very different from those given by marriage counselors. The advice given by marriage counselors reveals that they are independent of God and even rebellious against Him. In their instructions, advice, and answers they are altogether apart from God. Paul, on the contrary, was absolutely under God, for God, and one with God.

　　Another very important point revealed in this chapter is that those who love the Lord, who are for Him, and who are one with Him must be willing to accept any kind of circumstance or situation. For example, if a brother’s unbelieving wife desires to remain with him, he should accept this situation. But if she decides to leave, he should also accept this circumstance.

　　It is very important for us to see that God is always in our circumstances. We may say that the circumstances are actually God coming to us in disguise. Apparently we are in a particular circumstance; actually that circumstance is God coming to us and God with us. In verse 24 Paul says, “Each one, brothers, in what status he was called, in this let him remain with God.” Notice the words “with God.” They indicate that when we take our circumstances, we take God. Both within the circumstances and behind them, God is present.

　　Once again we see that Paul had an excellent spirit, a spirit which was submissive, content, and satisfied. Paul did not have any complaints. In his spirit he was very submissive and content with his situation. No matter how he was treated, he did not complain. To him, every situation was of the Lord, and he would not initiate anything to change it. Paul could say, “To me, everything works for good. This is the reason I don’t want to change anything. I know that when I take my circumstances, I take my God. In every situation is my God, the One whom I love and the One to whom I belong absolutely.” What an excellent spirit is displayed in this attitude!

　　I appreciate 1 Corinthians 7 not primarily for all the answers it gives, but because this chapter conveys the spirit of a person who loves the Lord, who cares for the Lord’s interests on earth, who is absolutely for the Lord and one with the Lord, and who in every respect is obedient, submissive, and satisfied with God and the circumstances arranged by Him. (Life-study of 1 Corinthians, pp. 373-375)

　　Further Reading: Life-study of 1 Corinthians, msg. 43