REMAIN WITH GOD IN THE CONDITION YOU WERE CALLED
17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this way let him walk. And so, I direct in all the churches. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Each person is to remain in that state in which he was called. 21 Were you called as a slave? Do not let it concern you. But if you are also able to become free, take advantage of that. 22 For the one who was called in the Lord as a slave, is the Lord’s freed person; likewise, the one who was called as free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought for a price; do not become slaves of people. 24 Brothers and sisters, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called. – 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
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In this part of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he explains the importance of remaining with God whatever condition you were experiencing when you were called. If you were called when you were single or married, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, slave or free, you need to stay with the Lord and continue to serve him and be used by him for his kingdom purpose. Paul mentions circumcision and uncircumcision as an example here. He knows that the Jews place so much emphasis on the importance of circumcision before they can be accepted. Paul is not discounting their adherence to their Mosaic laws as long as they don’t impose their laws as a requirement to be called in God’s kingdom. Paul’s ministry focused on bringing the gospel to the Gentiles as well. Circumcision and slavery is not the topic in this part of his letter. He was actually reminding those who are called to serve Christ to remain in the place they are holding when they were first called. In other words, we do not have to wait for things to change before we serve the Lord. Verse 20 clearly tells us that we are to stay put where we are.
Sadly, many of us have a different view of what it is to be a Christian. We place so much conditions before we actually wear the new nature in Christ. Our fallen nature discourages us to accept the invitation of Jesus without adding our contribution to the salvific act of Christ. We think we can add something from our own effort to change our conditions when God called us first. We need to obey and let the grace and mercy of God transform our lives instead of doing it ourselves. Only God can transform and save us.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God asks us to remain where we are when he called us?