Sic esse | Remain

"It is good for a man to remain as he is." – 1 Corinthians 7:26b

Photo by Pexels.com

Each Life Calling Is Unique

 

The Apostle Paul gives wise counsel to the church in Corinth about how to live, especially regarding interpersonal relationships. In verses 25–28, Paul addresses unmarried women (virgins), advising them to remain in their current state in view of the coming difficulties. However, he also makes it clear that if they choose to marry, it is not a sin. 

In our social context, it's common for people to ask, "When will you get married?"—especially to adult women who are well-established but still single. This kind of questioning can often be unpleasant or burdensome.

Living in holiness is not simply about whether one marries or not, but about how we live out our calling. Paul teaches that decisions should be made by considering both personal and spiritual situations, not merely by cultural pressure or personal desire. Mature freedom is the ability to make wise decisions, not just reacting to pressure or impulse. Married or unmarried, do not cling to worldly things.

Every life status comes with its own strengths and challenges. Remaining unmarried can be a great blessing in ministry if it is lived out with the right attitude. It can be a calling that enables one to live more effectively in God's work.

In verses 39–40, Paul gives advice to widows. A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives, but if her husband dies, she is free to remarry. However, Paul believes it is better for her not to marry again and to remain single. My father passed away when I was just 11 years old, and my mother was 40 at the time. She chose not to remarry, considering many factors, one of which was her responsibility for us, her children. It was certainly difficult for her to raise us on her own, but God strengthened her and always provided blessings. My mother served as an elder in church for 42 years. God enabled her and blessed her as she gave herself to ministry.

 

For those of us who choose to marry, let us fulfil our duties and responsibilities as wives and husbands, supporting one another in ministry to the Lord and in every role we have been entrusted with. Whatever our life calling may be, each of us is called according to our gifts and situations. There is no one path more spiritual than another. 

We are free to choose, but that freedom should be used to serve God wholeheartedly. Our main focus must be the Lord, not our status. Whether we are married, single, widowed, or divorced; our lives should be a living offering to God. Amen.

 

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 7:25–40 by Meist

 

Setiap panggilan hidup itu unik

Adalah baik bagi manusia untuk tetap dalam keadaanya – 1 Korintus 7: 26b. 

Pexels.com

 

Rasul Paulus memberikan nasihat yang bijaksana kepada jemaat di Korintus tentang bagaimana menjalani hidup khususnya dalam hubungan interpersonal. 

Rasul Paulus memberikan nasihat pada para gadis (ayat 25-28) yang belum menikah. Ia mengingatkan mengenai kesusahan yang akan datang, dan menyarankan untuk tetap dalam keadaan sekarang. Tetapi jika mereka ingin menikah pun itu bukan merupakan sebuah dosa. Kehidupan social disekitar kita sering memeberikan pertanyaan "Kapan menikah?" jika bertemu dengan Perempuan dewasa apalagi yang sudah mapan tetapi belum menikah, dan ini memberikan perasaan yang kurang menyenangkan bagi Perempuan tersebut. 

Hidup dalam kekudusan bukan hanya soal menikah atau tidak menikah, tetapi tentang bagaimana kita menjalani panggilan kita. Paulus mengajarkan bahwa keputusan harus mempertimbangkan situasi pribadi dan spiritual, bukan hanya tekanan budaya atau keinginan pribadi. Kebebasan yang dewasa ialah kemampuan membuat Keputusan yang bijaksana, bukan hanya mengikuti tekanan atau nafsu. 

Menikah atau tidak menikah– jangan melekat pada hal yang duniawi. Setiap status kehidupan memiliki kelebihan dan tantangan. Tidak menikah menjadi berkat besar dalam pelayanan jika dijalani dengan benar, dan merupakan panggilan untuk menjadikan hidup lebih efektif dalam pekerjaan Allah. 

Ayat 39-40 menjelaskan mengenai nasihat Rasul Paulus mengenai Janda. Seorang isteri terikat kepada suaminya selama suaminya hidup. Namun, jika suaminya meninggal, ia bebas menikah lagi. Tapi Paulus berpendapat , lebih baik tidak menikah dan tetap hidup sendiri. 

Ayah saya meninggal ketika saya masih berusi 11 tahun dan Ibu saya berusia 40 tahun saat itu. Ibu saya memilih tidak menikah hingga saat ini karena banyak pertimbangan, salah satunya karena mempertimbangkan kami anak-anaknya. Memang sulit ketika menjalani hidup dan membersarkan anak-anak seorang diri, tetapi Tuhan menguatkan dan selalu menyiapkan berkat. Ibu saya melayani di gereja sebagai majelis selama 42 tahun, Tuhan memampukan dan memberkati ketika kita memberikan diri kita dalam pelayanan.  

Bagi kita yang memilih untuk menikah, marilah kita menjalankan tugas dan tanggung jawab kita sebagai isteri maupun sebagai suami dan saling menopang dalam pelayanan kepada Tuhan dan dalam setiap peran dan tanggung jawab yang ada. 

Apapun panggilan hidup kita, setiap kita dipanggil sesuai dengan karunia dan situasinya. Tidak ada satu jalan yang lebih Rohani dari pada yang lain. Kita bebas memilih, tetapi kebebasan itu sebaiknya digunakan untuk melayani Tuhan dengan sungguh-sungguh. 

Fokus utama Adalah Tuhan bukan status, apapun hidup kita menikah, tidak menikah, lajang, janda/duda: hidup kita seharusnya menjadi persembahan yang hidup bagi Tuhan.  Amin. 

 

Refleksi dari 1 Korintus 7: 25-40 oleh Meist. 

(Dengarkan podcastnya disini)

 

 

Pretio | At a price

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. - 1 Cor 7:23–24 

Photo by Pexels.com

This passage reminds us of the profound truth that our ultimate worth and identity come from God, not from the opinions, systems, or expectations of human beings. Paul’s words, “You were bought at a price,” point us back to the sacrifice of Christ, whose death and resurrection redeemed us from sin and gave us a new freedom. Our lives are not our own; Christ has already paid the greatest price to set us free. Because of this, we no longer belong to the world or to its pressures—we belong to God.

At the same time, Paul encourages believers to find contentment and purpose where they are, reminding them that their calling to follow Christ is not dependent on their social status, career, or circumstances. We are to be faithful in the place where God has put us. Sometimes we find ourselves wishing for different circumstances—an easier road, more recognition, or a new beginning. But God reminds us that He calls us to live out the faith right where we are, trusting that He can work through the ordinary, even the difficult, situations of our lives. What matters is living faithfully in relationship with God, no matter the circumstances. This does not mean we should never pursue change or growth, but that our first responsibility is to serve God right where we are, trusting that His presence gives meaning and direction in every stage of life.

The passage challenges us today to ask: Do we live as if our lives belong fully to God, or do we allow ourselves to become “slaves” to human approval, ambition, or fear? True freedom is found not in escaping life’s circumstances, but in knowing to whom we belong—and living out that truth daily.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 by Agata Wierzbowska

(Listen to podcast here)

Abluti | Washed

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God – 1 Corinthians 6:11

 

Photo by Pexels.com

The church in Corinth was the most challenging church for the apostle Paul.  In fact, this church was the most problematic church of all the churches that Paul founded. This church had severe problems, but the apostle Paul did not give up on the believers in Corinth. We have two insightful letters to learn from as a result of this church.

In this seaport city of Corinth, idolatry, immorality and paganism were part of life. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul lists examples of sins which must have been common in Corinth (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The apostle Paul says that those who practice these sins will not inherit God's kingdom (verse 10). The vital point here is that those sins are not unforgivable sins. No, not all. The New Testament, particularly the book of Hebrews, (Hebrews 10:10), emphasizes that our Saviour Jesus' sacrifice was a one-time, perfect offering that completely atones for all sin. But here in the letter to the Corinthians, Paul teaches that those who persist in doing those sins, show that they are not submissive to the will of God, they don’t want to listen to God. They reject God. Hence, they are then unbelievers and will not inherit God’s kingdom. In verse 11, Paul points out that many in the Corinthian church had been living a sinful lifestyle in the past. But now they are freed from those behaviours and sins. Paul is urging them to live up to their new identity. Being born again means receiving a new identity.

As for Christians and those believers at Corinth, something lifechanging happened when we came to God through faith in Christ. We were born again. As we read in John 3:3 where our Lord Jesus was talking to Nicodemus, we need to be born again to be part of the kingdom of God: “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  In 1 Corinthians 6:11, the apostle Paul describes how we receive a new identity.  First, we were washed. We are no longer stained by those sins; they are gone. Second, we were sanctified. Finally, we were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

We can live with the confidence and joy that all our sins were washed away by the blood of Jesus. Our Saviour Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice, once and for all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14). Let's place our trust in Christ alone.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 by Hanne

(Listen to podcast here)

Boasting

Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons— not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside. "Drive out the wicked person from among you." - 1 Corinthians 5: 6-13

Photo by Pexels.com

Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 5:6-13, focus verses 6, and my conversion story. I realized that while my conversion to Christianity was a one-time act of Grace from God, Who had relentlessly pursued me to become His son. And like the prodigal son, I ran as far as I could from the Father's loving arms, to indulge in a life of debauchery and wanton living. Even though my salvation was secured through the blood of the Lamb, there were still sinful inclinations in my heart that needed to be pruned or burned away, like dross from molten gold. 

Like what Paul had summed up, I felt like a wretched man by the inner conflict against my sinful nature, Rom 7:14-20: "For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. "

While I can't say that I have won this life-long wrestling match (sanctification process) against my sinful nature, I can safely say that I'm thankful to be covered in Jesus' Blood and my sin-stained soul is white as snow. Not by my willpower nor a virtuous character, but wholly by the Grace of God and the Blood of the Lamb.

I'll close with this beautiful hymn: "Wherever You Lead" (Fix My Eyes on Jesus), by Bethel Music. Because wherever my Saviour leads, that's where I want to be.

Wherever You Lead – Bethel Music 

Verse 1 

I'm done trusting in what's sinking 

These boats weren't built for me 

I'm done drifting on the water Of insecurity 

In the noise and the distractions 

In the storms of arguing 

I hear Your voice calling 

Chorus 

And I'm gonna fix my eyes on Jesus 

Walking with the One who walks on the sea 

Oh, I'm gonna give my life to follow 

Speak to me and I'll go 

Wherever You lead 

Wherever You lead 

Verse 2 

I'm done worshiping an image 

Of what only looks like me 

Surrounding You with limits 

Of what my eyes can see 

God, would You forgive me? 

Restore the mystery 

I hear Your voice calling, calling 

(Repeat Chorus x2)

Bridge (x2) 

Wherever You go 

Wherever You lead 

That's where I'll go 

That's where I'll be 

The moment You call 

The second You speak 

That's when I'll go 

Step out and believe 

Final Chorus 

I'm gonna fix my eyes on Jesus 

Walking with the One who walks on the sea 

Oh, I'm gonna give my life to follow 

Speak to me and I'll go 

Wherever You lead 

Wherever You lead 

Youtube: https://youtu.be/bJGg4Kb-ucY?si=t_pKILmrNwztg3ZW 

Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Dustin Smith, Kristene Dimarco, Ethan Hulse, Mitch Wong. For non-commercial use only.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 5:6-13 by Chris Tan

Congregatis vobis | Assembled

„When you are assembled and the power of our Lord Jesus is present” (1 Cor 5:4).

 

In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul declares: "When you are assembled and the power of our Lord Jesus is present (1 Cor 5:4)". These words illuminate the mystery of what we celebrate each time we gather as the Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that the word "Church" - from the Latin ecclesia - signifies "convocation" or "assembly." This is no only human gathering, but rather a divine convocation. As Saint Cyril of Jerusalem instructed in his Catechetical Lectures, the Church is "rightly named Ecclesia because it calls forth and assembles together all men."

We are assembled as a community not by human initiative, but by the God’s Word. The Church exists as the people whom God calls and gathers from every corner of the earth. Through the sacraments of faith and baptism, we have been incorporated into Christ's Mystical Body, becoming children of God and temples of the Holy Spirit. Even when the Christians are geographically separated, the Holy Spirit maintains the spiritual unity.

The early Church Fathers, particularly Saint Ignatius of Antioch and Saint Cyprian of Carthage, emphasized that each particular Church participates in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Our local community is thus a manifestation of the universal Church.

In this sacred gathering, assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we better understand the Church's mission. We intercede for the salvation of souls, particularly for those in spiritual danger. We seek deliverance from sin and pray earnestly "that their spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord (v. 5)".

Saint Paul also teaches in his Letter to the Romans: "So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Rom 12:5)". It happens in the sacred liturgy, most especially in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, where Christ himself becomes present among his people. Here, the Church becomes the assembly of the saved, called together by the Word of God and united in the power of the Holy Spirit.

May we never forget the dignity of our calling as members of Christ's Body. May we always pray for one another and support in every situation of our life. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 by Józef Trzebuniak.

(Listen to podcast here)

Pater tuus | Your Father

For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me - 1 Corinthians 4:15-16.

Photo by Pexels.com

Fatherly Admonition 

14 I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 But some of you, thinking that I am not coming to you, have become arrogant. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. 21 What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness? 

Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 4:14-21, focus verses 15-16, and my conversion story. I realized that I struggled for many years with the Father figure of God, as I had a broken relationship with my own father till the day he died. I recall on the morning of his death, my mom called me and said that something wasn't quite right with my dad. Instead of rushing home to see him, I had changed into my work clothes and drove to work as per my usual routine. However, the next call was from the paramedic who said in a grave tone, "Mr Tan, you better come back, your father is dead…". A waterfall of tears clouded my sight as I drove like a mad man to my parents' place. I remember walking into his room and staring at his lifeless body. My sisters who arrived a bit later, quickly arranged for his death to be certified and contacted a funeral home to arrange the funeral services. I remember carrying his clammy and now stiff (rigor mortis) body out of the house into the lift to the mortuary truck which was awaiting below. 

The day of the funeral flashed by in a daze as my own wedding was due to happen in five days' time. It was hard for my family as we grappled with the funeral proceedings and preparations for my wedding right after his cremation. I didn't know how to deal with the stresses of losing my father and final preparations for the wedding.  I buried my stresses and difficulties under the guise of a busy work schedule. Ultimately, I paid the price of sacrificing my marriage on the altar of hard work, through emotional neglect among other modern stressors that plagued my broken marriage. 

I've realized that while I didn't enjoy a close bond with my (late) earthly father, God sent me His Son, so that He can be my Father, by adoption. He has blessed me with many spiritual fathers since the loss of my own earthly father. 

I'll close with this beautiful hymn of the Father's Love for us: How Deep The Father's Love For Us – Stuart Townend 

Verse 1 

How deep the Father's love for us 

How vast beyond all measure 

That He should give His only Son 

To make a wretch His treasure 

How great the pain of searing loss 

The Father turns His face away 

As wounds which mar the Chosen One 

Bring many sons to glory 

Verse 2

Behold the man upon a cross 

My sin upon His shoulders 

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice 

Call out among the scoffers 

It was my sin that held Him there 

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

Verse 3 

I will not boast in anything 

No gifts, no power, no wisdom 

But I will boast in Jesus Christ 

His death and resurrection 

Why should I gain from His reward? 

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart 

His wounds have paid my ransom 

Youtube: https://youtu.be/A0CDqG5STPM?si=2kYANiJKrMa3VWOP 

Source: LyricFind 

Songwriters: Stuart Townend 

How Deep The Father's Love For Us lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group   

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 by Chris Tan