Reflections with Andy - 1 Corinthians 7: 1-16 – Who Do We Live For?
Paul tells us today that we do not live for ourselves. We live for God, and we live for others.
In today’s episode of Reflections with Andy, we explore 1 Corinthians 7:1–16 and Paul’s teaching on marriage, singleness, and Christian relationships. While some of Paul’s instructions can be difficult to interpret, the heart of his message is remarkably clear: our lives are not our own. Whether we’re married or single, our identity is found first in Christ, and we’re called to love God and others before ourselves. It’s a timely reminder that the healthiest relationships begin when Jesus—not our spouse, our family, or even ourselves—sits on the throne of our hearts.
Join us for our daily reflections. In 10 short minutes, we’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help us better understand God’s Word.
You can read today’s passage here.
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Good morning! It’s good to be with you on this Tuesday morning as we continue our journey through 1 Corinthians.
You know, 1 Corinthians is a fascinating book because Paul addresses so many issues that are challenging and, at times, complicated.
Corinthians always reminds me of something one of my favorite professors in college, Dr. Harold Bryson, used to say. Dr. Bryson taught polity, and one day he made a statement I’ve never forgotten.
He said, “We’d rather talk about Paul than Jesus.”
Then he explained why.
“Paul is hard to understand. Paul says things that can be complicated. Jesus isn’t hard to understand—Jesus is just hard to follow.”
I’ve thought about that a lot over the years.
There are certainly passages in Paul’s letters—like the one we’re reading today—that Christians have debated for centuries.
But Jesus?
Jesus is remarkably clear.
Love your enemies.
Forgive those who hurt you.
Bless those who curse you.
None of that is difficult to understand.
It’s difficult because we don’t want to do it.
So whenever I read Paul, I always try to ask, “What’s the heart of what he’s saying? What’s the principle underneath all these specific instructions?”
I think that’s especially important in today’s passage.
We’re reading 1 Corinthians 7:1–16.
Paul is teaching here about marriage, singleness, divorce, and relationships.
But I think the central message underneath all of it is this:
We do not live for ourselves.
Everything Paul says here points back to that truth.
Whether he’s talking about marriage, singleness, or our responsibilities toward one another, he’s reminding us that the Christian life is never centered on “me.”
It reminds me of an old saying that’s often attributed to one of the Founding Fathers:
“Your right to swing your fist ends where your neighbor’s nose begins.”
I’ve always liked that image.
Yes, we have freedom.
Yes, there are many things we’re allowed to do.
But Christian freedom is always shaped by love for God and love for our neighbor.
Just because I can do something doesn’t mean I should.
We talked about that yesterday.
My life isn’t simply my own.
First and foremost, I belong to the Lord.
And because I belong to Him, I also belong to the people He’s called me to love.
For me, that means Holly.
It means my family.
It means my church.
I don’t simply live for Andy.
I live for Christ.
Paul begins this chapter by saying,
“Now concerning the matters about which you wrote...”
That’s important.
The Corinthians had written Paul asking specific questions, and he’s responding to those questions.
As we read Paul’s letters, we have to remember that sometimes he’s addressing unique situations in a particular church.
That doesn’t make his words any less inspired.
It simply reminds us to pay attention to the context.
In fact, later in the passage Paul even says,
“To the rest I say—I, not the Lord...”
I actually appreciate that honesty.
Once again we see Paul’s humanity.
God is speaking through Paul.
Scripture is fully God’s Word, but He delivers it through a real person writing to real people facing real problems.
I think that’s beautiful.
God uses ordinary people to communicate extraordinary truth.
Paul also says something that sometimes surprises people.
He tells those who are unmarried that remaining single is a perfectly good calling.
I think that’s an important reminder for us today.
As much as I love Holly...
As much as I love my children...
As much as I treasure family...
We have to be careful not to make our families into our gods.
Family is a wonderful gift.
But it isn’t where our identity comes from.
Whether you’re married or single...
Whether you’re divorced or widowed...
Whether you have children, grandchildren, or neither...
None of those things ultimately define who you are.
Your identity is found in Jesus Christ.
Everything else is secondary.
Tim Keller once said that anything you place on the throne of your heart besides Jesus will eventually disorient your life—even if it’s a good thing.
I think that’s exactly right.
Suppose you put your children on the throne of your heart.
Then your entire identity becomes wrapped up in them.
You’ll expect them to succeed because their success becomes your success.
You’ll expect perfection because your sense of worth depends on them.
That’s an unbearable burden for a child to carry.
And what happens when they fail?
Or struggle?
Or make mistakes?
Your identity begins to fall apart because it was built on something that could never support it.
The same thing can happen with a spouse.
Or a career.
Or money.
Or success.
Good things make terrible gods.
Jesus belongs on the throne.
When Jesus is on the throne of your heart, everything else falls into its proper place.
You become a better spouse because you aren’t asking your spouse to complete you.
You become a better parent because your children don’t have to carry your identity.
You become a better friend because you’re free to love people instead of using them to fill something only Christ can fill.
That’s why I think the heart of this passage is so simple.
We don’t exist for ourselves.
We belong to Jesus.
My life is not ultimately about what Andy wants.
It’s about honoring Christ.
It’s about loving my wife well.
Being a good father.
Being a faithful pastor.
Being a good friend.
But underneath all of those roles is one identity that never changes.
I belong to Jesus.
And because I belong to Him, I can love everyone else more faithfully.
So today, remember this:
You don’t live for yourself.
You live for God.
And because you live for God, you live for others.
Thanks for being with us today. I hope you have a wonderful day, and I’ll see you tomorrow.