In these chapters, Paul discusses all the things that can side track believers...all of the things that can take them way from what should be their only passion.
First, he addresses the issue of marriage: He is content being unmarried, but if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. - 1 Cor. 7:9
They are to be content in the situation where they have been placed by God. If married, stay married, if a slave, be content in serving. No matter the situation, they are to see it as temporary, one in which nothing assumes more importance than God.
What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 1 Cor. 7:29-31
'I have become all things to all men,' Paul says, in order to win souls to Christ. 'To the Jews, I am a Jew, to those who hold to the strict law, I hold strict law, to the weak, I become weak.' It's just like running a race. A runner sacrifices temporary comfort in favor of discipline. You cannot let earthly matters assume uttermost importance in your life. Just like in a race, you must concentrate on the finish line and the prize. If a runner starts putting more emphasis on his current situation rather than the finish line, he will stumble and fall.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor.10:12-13 NIV
It's not a matter of what is right or wrong, as in the case of marriage or what we eat and drink. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. (1 Cor. 10:23-24 NIV) It's a matter of being honest about our actions and motives, of standing firm in the Lord, of putting his kingdom first.
But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. - 1 Cor. 11:29-32 NIV
This present world will one day pass away, only by putting it in the proper perspective, can we run the race to win the prize.
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