17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
-1 Corinthians 7:17-24
The Apostle Paul was talking about sex and marriage and all of a sudden there is this random passage about circumcision and slavery. What’s going on here?
The Apostle Paul is reminding us that whether we are married or single, whether we are Jewish (circumcised) or Gentile (not circumcised), whether we are king or a slave, our first and only priority is our allegiance to Christ.
Our external position cannot change our internal disposition toward Christ. You are all high school or college students right now, but that will not always be the case. Some of you will have prestigious careers as doctors or lawyers. Some of you will hold higher positions in your churches or ministries. More likely than not, your social status will change and even grow in time.
BUT, you must never forget that you are as dependent upon the Lord as a CEO of a company as you are as a freshmen in high school. You must never forget.
This is what this passage is about. Regardless of your position, Jesus has to be your one and only love.
Is Jesus at the center of your life today?
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