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Words of Faith 6-9-25
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2025
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Dr. Hoy's new book on Jude, "Contending for the Faith," is now available on Amazon for delivery or Kindle format.
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1 Corinthians 7

    [29] What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; [30] 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; [31] those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

       One of Paul's significant concerns was that the believers in Corinth were growing lethargic in their faith. They had started out with such vigor! They had such a dramatic experience with the Spirit of God and His grace! Now they were being absorbed back into the malaise of Corinth. They had lost their urgency for the Gospel. They had grown comfortable in their lives. They were more attached to the world than to the Kingdom of God.

        The early church anticipated Jesus' return soon: "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).

        Paul did not know that the Lord would tarry so long in His coming. We still understand His return to be "imminent," meaning "at any moment." Paul urged the believers in Corinth to live with expectation that would cause them to be more detached from the world. This is why he recommended the single state for those who were single. Paul felt singleness was advantageous in that it offered detachment from temporal situations.

        We are called to be detached from this world so we do not cling to it. "We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Cor. 4:18). Detachment does not mean that we fail to fulfill Marriage vows. On the contrary, Paul was clear about the importance of meeting needs in Marriage (7:3- 7).

        But we must realize that all these things are passing away. Our love for the Lord should surpass all things in this life. "From now on, those who have wives should live as if they had none" was not an endorsement of immorality, celibacy in Marriage, or abandonment. It was a call to value our relationship with Jesus above all, something that actually strengthens marriages and causes us to walk in servanthood toward those around us.

        Those who mourn should live as if they did not, and those who are happy should live as if they were not. Paul called the Corinthians beyond the mourning of temporal losses and happiness caused by circumstances. Paul called for a vision that is eternal.

        The call of the Gospel is for those who "buy something to live as if it were not theirs to keep" [30]. We are to hold the material things of this earth loosely. We are to use the things of this world and not become engrossed in things. We are to love people and use things. We are not to use people and love things. This present world is passing away.

       Father God, help me to find the proper detachment. Help me to be absolutely focused on You! In making You first, please order the priorities of my life. Give me the right words and deeds to honor those You have given me in my family and my life. Help me find my joy in You, not temporal things or circumstances. Help me to love people and use things. Help me to hold onto things loosely and use them for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.