July 3 Click on verses for Full Scripture

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Today's Pathway: I Corinthians 7:17-24 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

Paul changes gears a little bit in today's passage. The catalyst for this seems to be his previous discussion as to whether or not a person who gets saved should leave his or her unsaved spouse. As we saw yesterday, Paul's answer to that is "No", because of the spiritual benefit that the believer is to both her unsaved husband and her children. In verse 17 Paul is telling the Corinthians that they are to be content in whatever situation they have been placed by the Lord. Bruce Barton wrote,

"Paul had just finished explaining to the believers who were married to unbelievers that they should stay in their situation peacefully if at all possible and live for Christ in their marriage. This passage expands his thoughts on that topic, explaining that just because people become Christians, this does not call for wholesale changes in every part of their outward lives. Christ calls people from all walks of life. While some changes should be made in behavior and attitudes, there are some kinds of changes that should not be made. For example, they ought not change marriage partners. They need not even try to change jobs (unless the job was dishonoring to God). Instead, accept whatever situation the Lord has put you in, and continue on as you were when God first called you because God can use his faithful followers in all areas of life."

He gives two examples in the next verses. An uncircumcised Gentile who got saved did not now have to receive circumcision, nor did a circumcised Jew need to undergo some sort of procedure in an attempt to appear uncircumcised. Circumcision was not the issue, obedience to God was the issue. In verses 21-22 he teaches that whether or not a man is a slave doesn't matter. If a man got saved as a slave, he needed to be content to remain a slave. If he has the opportunity to become a free man, then he can take advantage of that. But, if that opportunity never presents itself, he can remain where he is. Paul then makes a spiritual application. When a man gets saved, he is freed from the bondage of sin. Also, when a man gets saved he becomes a slave of God. So, if a man's status is to be a servant, spiritually he is free in the Lord. Likewise, if a man's status allows him to be free, spiritually he is still a servant of the Lord. Thus, what our social or economic or ethnic condition is in life is not what matters. What is important is our relationship to Christ and our willingness to obey Him. Paul reminds his readers in verse 23 that they were purchased with the precious blood of Christ, and thus they should not be the servants of men. He is not speaking here of "occupational" service to men; he is talking about "spiritual" service. He is speaking of becoming slaves to the ways of men, the ways of the world, the ways of the flesh. The believer's focus and service always needs to be towards God, and not on the ideas or attractions of the world.

Bruce Barton summarized verse 24 well:

"Often we are so concerned about what we could be doing for God somewhere else that we miss great opportunities right where we are. Paul says that when someone becomes a Christian, he or she should usually continue with the work he or she has previously been doing—provided it isn’t immoral or unethical. Every job can become Christian work when you realize that the purpose of your life is to honor, serve, and speak out for Christ. Because God has placed you where you are, look carefully for opportunities to serve him there. After all, if God found you there, God can certainly use you there."