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, (30) 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,(31)and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away .

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. In our verses today Paul is replying to direct questions from the Corinthians – he was writing at a time when to profess to be Christian meant to put one’s life in jeopardy because of persecution. There was also some confusion about the time of the second coming as promised by God and many thought it was imminent. In addition, the Corinthians were troubled by false ideas about philosophies of life and moved from excessive and mistaken Christian liberty to asceticism. Here, Paul continues his discussion of marriage versus singleness in view of those perilous times and the shortness of life.

Paul wants relief from anxieties for Christians and if they have the gift for the single life they may devote their thoughts and cares to the Lord in celibacy. BUT he has said not all can enjoy this liberty and his meaning is the unmarried person is free and unhindered (Paul himself remained unmarried for the sake of the gospel) while he is also saying that human nature might make such a condition morally dangerous. Paul is not saying marriage is wrong but that it is the design of God that we are allowed a brief period in this world and should not be bound to earthly things and marriage means certain obligations and cares about temporal things. The Bible makes it clear that marriage is a scriptural norm and marriage is not simply to your partner but a vow before God.

Single life under certain circumstances is preferable, and may be wiser than married life but there are no commands or restrictions with either choice. But we can confuse retirement from society with service to the Lord. There can be trouble in marriage and trouble in the single life. Being married doesn’t solve problems nor does being single.

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (13) Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. (14) And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. (15) Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! (16) Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “Shall become one flesh.” (17) But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. (18) Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (19) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. In chapter 6 Paul writes correcting Christian behavior and Christian liberty. In Christ, he writes that “all things are lawful to me” and repeats this before amplifying on the statement. God has left free choice of behaviors in regard to outward things; dietary matters, ceremony, rituals etc. but apparently the Corinthians claimed all things were lawful for them without reserve or limit. But all things are not expedient and without consequence to others. Paul also emphasizes that man is not to be in bondage to any appetite. Man is meant to use the world, not abuse it. Our spiritual connection to Christ extends not just to the soul but also the body. Custom was not to be regarded as law and used as excuses. In Christ, we do not belong to ourselves but to God – this is not onerous but the tragedy would be if we did not belong to God.

Paul now moves to the sin of fornication with the rare command to “Flee sexual immorality.” The principles of religious liberty should be limited in application to things indifferent and temporary conditions of present life. But no such application is allowed in case of fornication. Because of the ultimate and permanent relationship with Christ this sin against the body, the will and the soul is destructive by its very nature. The Greeks and Romans considered fornication as a matter of indifference but Paul views it as a perversion of Christian liberty. Every sin a man commits is without/outside the body but fornication is against his/her own body. It is not a greater sin but has its peculiar effect on the body both morally and spiritually. As our bodies are temples of the Spirit it cannot be profaned without incurring a great and particular effect.

We have been delivered from the power and condemnation of sin by Christ and we are not to live according to our own pleasure. Our bodies are subject to God as well as our souls.

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ”In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. (35) But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. (36) The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all – (37) that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: (38) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke; historian, physician, traveling companion of the apostle Paul- and Gentile. To understand our verses today we must understand their context. An event entirely new to the Jewish mind tells the reader that NOW salvation is not based on national identity or good works. Gentiles are brought directly into relationship with God apart from becoming Jews which changed the history of the world. This inclusion is by Gods grace and centers on the person and work of Christ Jesus. Jesus is Lord of ALL.

There are three lengthily references in Acts given to the conversion of a Gentile outside of becoming a Jew. The Gentile, Cornelius, was a Roman centurion of the Italian army, who was guarding the city of Caesarea. Cornelius was a godly man who instructed his family and household in worship of God. There is no indication in the verses that he was familiar with the gospel. God sent a vision to Cornelius that he should send for a man named Peter who was living in Joppa. This Cornelius did directly. Meanwhile in Joppa, Peter was also sent a vision telling him first that there is no further difference between clean and unclean foods so there is no further disagreement between Jew and Gentile – the wall of separation was removed. God is God over all. Then Peter was commanded to come to Cornelius accompanied by Cornelius’s men who were at the door. Peter responded to Gods command and our verses today are the beginning of his address to Cornelius and his household. Peter had not finished his words when the conversion occurred and all who heard came to salvation in faith in Christ. Peter’s words as recorded here by Luke are the most comprehensive review of Jesus’ ministry found in any speech in Acts of the Apostles.

Peter’s sermon is the first sermon in Acts addressed to a Gentile audience. It is a message of peace in Christ. It is a message that God’s revelation, sent to the Jews, that all men/women now stand and fall by the judgment of God alone. It is a message that Jesus Christ is Lord of all – and most importantly, Jesus Christ is available to all.

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles – (2) if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, (3) how by that revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, (4) by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), (5) which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: (6) that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel

The letter to the Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul. The mystery of which he is speaking is, in Christ Jesus, there is now union – equality – of Gentiles and Jews as fellow heirs of God’s promises. The revelation of this mystery was frequently predicted by prophets of the Old Testament but the form was obscure and led to the general impression that the Gentiles were to partake of the blessings of the Messiah by becoming Jews – proselytes of the old theocracy which was thought by the Jews would remain in place. But in Christ the old order was abolished and the new order was adapted equally for all men. The distinction between Jews and Gentiles was done away with.
From Abraham to Christ, God’s blessing were mostly restricted to the Jews. Gentiles were excluded from the nation of Israel and were strangers to God’s covenants of the promise; the Gentiles were alienated from God in this world. The Gentiles are now partakers of God’s plan of redemption – the only essential condition of that promise is union with Christ. With Jesus a change of the ages took place – this has happened and now the Jews and Gentiles need to realize this experience.
The truth of the gospel is the centrality of Jesus in all salvation history. This cannot be arrived at by human logic, intuition or study. God must open our eyes to the understanding of the gospel.