"But I want you to be without care.
He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord; how he may please the Lord.
But he who is married cares about the things of the world; how he may please his wife.
There is a difference between a wife and a virgin.
The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit.
But she who is married cares about the things of the world; how she may please her husband.
And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you,
but for what is proper,
and that you may serve the Lord without distraction."
1Corinthians 7:32-35
Do you think that the apostle looks at these things in a negative way? I think not. Why then do the people of this world view these things in this way?
I am Lord. I dictate to My people the way they are to live.
If one would live with his wife and give his glory to her, what is that to me? If another would live with her husband and give her glory to him, what is that to Me? I then will remove that glory, for glory is Mine alone.
You then, hear My words.
Many will come and say theirs is the right way. This has been so since the beginning of time. You then do this: Come before Me that the Truth be made known to you. I alone in My Glory can bring My Glory to each one.
Is he alone? My Glory is there.
Is he with his wife? My Glory is there.
Is she with her husband? My Glory is there.
My Glory is not limited or restricted to the number of persons before Me.
Yet this is Truth: Come before Me at all times, whether alone or in the company of another. And I will make the Truth known to you.
This one (Paul) in his glory, made known the glory of one that is alone. Yet there are others who brought glory to Me in their company with another.
Is there a limit to My Glory? Is it that I can only hold one man or woman in My hand?
This is not so.
Yet know this: for My Glory, I have set some aside to be alone, and others to be in the company of another.
Do not let your interests be divided. If you are alone, look to what I put before you, and not to other things. If you are with another, look to what I put before you, and not to other things.
This then is the meaning of these things: Man in his desire to please must put aside what he sees with his eyes.
His interest when he is alone can be divided. He can look to the world to satisfy his desire. Yet I desire that he not be divided. Then that one, who has put aside his own personal desire, shall not be divided, shall not desire that which is not of Me, and shall put his hand to the task.
So too are you when you are with another. Put aside the desires of your own heart that you will not be divided. For what one can work these things on his own? His desire is for things outside of the relationship, and so he is divided.
Set these things aside that you not be divided in your union. For what house divided against itself can stand? Now you too, with the one you are with, are undivided. Your interests are of Me and I direct you. So too, you in your union shall move as one to My Glory.
What man divided against himself can move to do My Will?
Yet you in your union are undivided, and so have the same interests in your heart as I.
Do not be conformed to this world yet be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Look not to these things as one divided. For then you shall see with your eyes. Look to these things with the eyes of My Heart, that you may know the desire of the One Who saves.
This then is the meaning of these things:
It is good for a man to be alone. He puts his hand to the task as one, and the work is done for My Glory.
It is good for a man to be with his wife, for as one, they put their hand to the task and are undivided. And the work is done to My Glory.
It is good for a woman to be one with her husband, for they shall put their hand to the task as one, and my Glory will shine on their work.
Yet know this: He who is divided, whether alone or with another, is divided unto himself, and is of no use in the Kingdom. Be of one mind whether alone or with another. That the Glory of God work for the advancement of the Kingdom.
Hallelujah!
Excerpt taken from:
Prepare The Way, making straight paths
Part 1...Gender Issues:
Chapter 3 Undivided Devotion to the Lord
Book 2 in the series.
