17 Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. 18 For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. 19 For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments. 20 Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21 Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. 23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.
I don't agree that we are to remain as we are called necessarily... the issue here was that Jesus had just left.. so they assumed he was coming back any day.. so they didn't think they needed to continue procreation... they felt that they could wait and he would come right away... but we see that has not been the case... and there is a saying that marriage is the one place where God can completely destroy who you used to be... and build you into who you should be... I am sure that is truth.. it is very hard to learn to deny yourself for someone else's comfort.. yet that is much of what marriage is about...
29 But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. 30 Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. 31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. 32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. 36 But if a man thinks that he’s treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin. 37 But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry. 38 So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn’t marry does even better.
well it is easy to realize that if we are married or if we are not.. our marriage cannot be our only focus... the kingdom of God is to be a focus.. we have jobs to go to daily that we have to focus on... we have friends we neeed to have some focus left for... people in the church are hurting.. we need to be there for them... I am in full belief that we are to be married... I do think there are some people who are not called to marriage... and they are truly content alone.. but for most of us.. sexual desire overrides that contentment.. and we get lonely sometimes... in my own case I am only lonely for a particular person... other than that I would not be lonely... but sexual desire is a whole other monster... one that is not so easily tamed... so rather than have constant thoughts of sleeping with someone.. we need to be attached to one person....
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. 40 But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.
I've seen women when their husbands die they stay alone for the rest of their lives... I think this happens when that was the person they were created for... but I have seen other women marry right away... I think that paul was comfortable alone... so he thought everyone else should be... but again.. sexual desire is a monster that is only tamed in marriage... or at least in God's will it is only tamed in marriage... lust is never a good thing... physical love on the other hand.. is an amazing thing...
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