Based on 1 Corinthians 7:17-40 (New King James Version)
“But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is: Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away. But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better. A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God.”
The point that the Apostle Paul—inspired by the Holy Spirit—is explaining in this passage is a foundational one; it is the very thing that determines whether or not a person will truly gain entry into the Kingdom of God: the matter of living for Christ. Through everything he explains, the fundamental theme is this: living for the Lord, regardless of our circumstances or condition. This defines everything, and it reveals—more clearly than anything else—what the Gospel is truly about. What, then, is not part of the Gospel? The Gospel is not about finding a spouse, nor is it about having children. The Gospel is not about solving our problems—whether they be marital issues, difficulties with our children, or even health-related struggles. The Gospel is not about having friends. The Gospel is not about owning a house or possessions, nor about achieving financial security—and certainly not about "enjoying life," as many Christians seem to believe. The Gospel centers on the Cross of Christ; we must understand that Christ did not suffer in this world, nor did He die upon a cross, for the sake of any of these things—however good or necessary they may be in themselves. Rather, He allowed His body to be broken—and shed His blood for something far greater and more significant. And if we fail to grasp this point, we will not only live futile lives, but we will fail to gain entry into His Kingdom. Even if a person claims to believe in Christ, they will find no justification at the Great Judgment of God.
The first thing we must recognize is that the primary requirement for salvation—aside from repentance and conversion from all sins—is believing; but, above all, it is about making Jesus our Lord, as it is written: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9. And what does it mean for Him to be the Lord of our lives? It means that we no longer belong to ourselves—that neither sin, nor Satan, nor even we ourselves hold dominion over our lives. When we accept Him as Lord, we are literally surrendering ourselves to Him to do His will. This is the entire purpose for which Christ died: to give us a second chance to fulfill the purpose for which we were created and made—to serve God. It is written: “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:8-9. In this life, there are only two sides—there are no neutrals; therefore, either you belong to God through the Lordship of Jesus, or you continue to belong to the enemy. But the Word says this for your consideration: “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:20-23.
And finally, if a Christian seeks God solely to have their will done, to resolve their problems—or, worse yet, attempts to use God—then, no matter what they profess to believe, they are pursuing death, and that will be their end. It is written: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” I John 2:15-17. In the end, each of us will give an account before the Lord—of what we did and how we lived this life; and at that moment, the Lord will determine what becomes of us in eternity: whether we will live forever in Him and with Him, or whether we will receive the greatest condemnation a being could ever face. This is what the Word says: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. Therefore, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. So, do you live for the Lord—making everything you do here and now count toward your eternal future—or do you choose to continue living for yourself, thereby casting aside eternal life? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!