Preserving Purity by Preserving Contentment

Preserving Purity Through Contentment

The purpose of what the Apostle Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 is to preserve purity. Last time, we saw preserving purity through preserving marriage. This evening, it's preserving purity through preserving contentment.

Paul is concerned with instilling in us a heart and attitude of recognizing contentment in all circumstances. He gives examples—though not exhaustive—of being content in any circumstance. There's a specific key to how that contentment is achieved, and thus how purity is preserved in our lives. As we preserve purity, we preserve the glory of God with our bodies, which is the ultimate goal: to glorify God with the way we use our bodies.

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. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he also who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there remain with God.

— 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (ESV)

We want to preserve God's glory reflected in our lives by how we conduct ourselves and use our bodies. Our bodies have a purpose: to glorify God. To preserve that, we must preserve purity—using our bodies as God intended, especially in romantic relationships.

Review: Preserving Purity in Marriage

Paul addressed preserving marriage because fornication marries sin with a biological process. We are created as sexual beings for physical intimacy within marriage—with the opposite sex, our spouse. That's unchangeable. Sin twists it, but repentance deals with the sin, while marriage handles the natural process. It's better to marry than to burn with passion.

Preserving marriage preserves purity. Your spouse alone has rights to your physical intimacy. If unmarried, pursue celibacy and purity. Believers should not divorce; if they do, remain single or reconcile. Remarriage otherwise is adultery, per Matthew 5 and 19. Divorce for fornication (porneia—the physical act of sexual sin) permits remarriage without adultery.

If previously divorced unbiblically and remarried, repent of the sins (unbiblical divorce and adulterous remarriage) but do not divorce the current valid marriage. Common excuses like pornography, abuse, or minor issues are not biblical grounds—only porneia or death of a spouse (per Romans 7).

For mixed marriages (believer and unbeliever), if the unbeliever consents to stay, remain married. The believer sanctifies the unbeliever and children (v. 14). God calls you to peace. You may win them without a word by chaste living (1 Peter 3).

Preserving Purity Through Contentment

Now Paul shifts: preserve purity by preserving contentment—accepting the life God has assigned. God sovereignly decrees the life you should live as a Christian.

Peace here means contentment: satisfaction regardless of circumstances. Don't let circumstances determine your peace, identity, or satisfaction. If they do, you'll never be content.

Romantic relationships today are often defined by happiness from circumstances. When happiness fades, the relationship ends. Seek someone who "makes you happy." But true contentment rests in an unshakable reality: commitment to God over each other.

Your spouse-to-be is flawed—like you. Marriage exposes weaknesses. An external absolute—God—binds you, not circumstances. This provides safety: no heartbreak, no shattering lives, even in tragedy.

Examples of Contentment

Paul gives examples of neutral circumstances, not sin:

• Circumcised or uncircumcised: Don't change ethnicity. What matters is obedience to God, summed in loving God and neighbor (Matthew 22:35-40).
• Slave or free: Don't be anxious if enslaved; gain freedom if possible. You're free in the Lord—bought with a price.
• Under parents' authority, single, etc.: Remain as called to learn contentment and self-control.

Due to present distress (e.g., fornication in Corinth), remain as you are to learn self-control (1 Corinthians 7:26). Be free from anxieties—worldy concerns like pleasing a spouse. Instead, be anxious for the Lord (v. 32).

The Key: Remain with God

You're bought with a price—Christ's blood. This unshakable reality enables contentment regardless of circumstances. Single? Not alone—with God. Married? Remain with God.

God's immutability means His plan doesn't change with circumstances. Like Job: amid horrors, remain with God—do not be concerned.

Enter marriage with contentment in God. Failures won't deter because you know the God who forgives, grants repentance, and changes lives. Light afflictions pale compared to eternity with God (2 Corinthians 4).

Divorces stem from hardness of heart and discontentment. Don't rest faith in a spouse's performance, but in God with you. Be content with Him.