1 Corinthians 7:17-24

                                                         1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

 

God calls all kinds of different people from all different kinds of background into a relationship with Himself.  God makes many changes in our lives, but there is never a need for us to feel like all Christians should be the same.  We were different when we were called into Christ, and many of those differences will remain after we become believers.  The variety of gifts and roles in life is part of what makes the body of Christ unique and powerful.  We must learn to appreciate our differences, not strive to become all alike.

 

RETAIN YOUR STATUS OF CIRCUMCISION: The influence of Judaism on the early church is easy to understand and seems to appear in all kinds of different places.  The key issue always seems to center around circumcision.  The Jews considered circumcision to be a vital part of any relationship with God.  Paul and the early church leaders understood that circumcision had no bearing whatsoever on one’s relationship with God.  All who are circumcised must trust Christ to be saved.  All who are uncircumcised must trust Christ to be saved.  Paul wants to make it clear to everyone that salvation is only by faith in Christ.  Those who are uncircumcised when they are saved should feel no obligation to become circumcised.  Those who are circumcised should feel no shame or trust in their circumcision.  We are all brothers and sisters in Christ no matter what our status of circumcision might be.

 

REMAIN IN YOUR STATUS OF SLAVERY: The Roman Empire was full of slaves.  By God’s grace many slaves came to faith in Christ.  In Christ there is no distinction between those who are slaves and those who are free.  All men are created in the image of God.  Clearly for the cause of Christ, freedom was preferable to being enslaved.  However, one’s employment status does not make a difference to the person’s salvation.  This is not any type of approval by God or Paul of the institution of slavery.  It is simply a demonstration of God’s love for all people everywhere and from every walk of life including slaves.  The reality is that all believers have been bought with the price of Christ’s blood, so we are all bondslaves of Jesus.  No matter what our job might be, we belong to Christ.

 

APPLICATION: Don’t trust in any religious rituals or have any embarrassment over having taken part in some religious ritual as a child.  Trust in Christ alone for salvation.  Do not be worried about or proud of any social status.  All believers, whether rich or poor, are bondslaves of Christ. 

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