1 Corinthians 7:17-24 - Live as You are Called

Introduction:

If you have your bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 7.

We will begin reading in verse 17 and we will read down to verse 24.

The Corinthians, like many of us, were after the good life.

They wanted joy.

The problem was, however, like many of us, they were looking for it in all the wrong place in all the wrong ways.

Some sought it in the power and prestige of associating themselves with influential leaders.

Some sought it in the fleeting pleasure of sexual sin.

Some believed that they could arrive to a special spiritual status by foregoing all forms of intimacy with their spouse.

Some thought that the best thing for their joy and holiness was to get out of their difficult marriage.

And as we will see later, some thought that all would be well if only they could enter into a new marriage.

1 Corinthians 7:17 pauses the discussion about marriage, divorce, and singleness directly, for a deeper principle on the real crux of the Corinthian problem… the problem of Christian contentment and their disbelief in the goodness of God’s sovereignty.

As we read this morning’s text, I want you to first take note of the repeated word…, “called”

The emphasis is not so much on what the Corinthians do, but what God has done, and is doing.

In each occasion you see the word “called” read it with the understanding that it is God who has worked for them and is working in them.

Lets read.

1 Corinthians 7:17–24 (ESV)

17 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. 18 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. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 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. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Lets Pray.

There are two ways that Paul is using the word “call” in this paragraph, both are God’s doing.

The first, more foundational call that we need to recognize is the call of salvation

When Paul writes about “the time of his call” in verses 18, 20, 21, 22, and verse 24 he is referring to the miraculous moment of God’s intervention in the life of a Christian… the moment God calls you to himself.

It is the moment you believed by God’s grace and became a child of God.

Truth #1 Our Most Important Calling is God’s Call to Eternal Life

Paul provides no instructive explanation of his use of the word “call” here, because he has already elaborated on it in 1 Corinthians.

In fact he begins the letter addressing the Corinthians as the called ones.

1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV

2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Later he says, it is this divine, effective, life changing call of God that sets the Christian corinthians apart from all the rest.

1 Corinthians 1:22–24 ESV

22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Pause for a moment Christian and recognize this great truth that the Corinthians regularly took for granted.

The most eternally significant thing about you… the most life changing thing about you…. the best thing that ever happened to you…

Is that the God of the universe by his great grace looked upon you a sinner…., and he said you are mine.…

‌He called you to himself.

Whatever you think is important in your life… it pales in comparison to this fact…

1 Corinthians 1:30–31 ESV

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Now what we find in 1 Corinthians 7 is an argument God’s call of salvation… becomes the single most defining and most important thing about our lives here on earth. ……

Our call to eternal life… is the lens through which we see all of life

It is the primary call…

Verse 22 says that if your socio-economic status is bondservant… don’t be concerned with it… because your heavenly status is the freedom of the Lord. ……

Likewise, if your a freedman, don’t on boasting about it… because your a bondservant of Christ…

Verse 23 says “you were bought with a price”

In other words, the most important thing about you is that Christ shed his blood for you,

and that God called you into all the saving benefits of that payment.

All other callings or aspects of our earthly life are filtered through this calling… the call of God on our lives to believe upon the Lord Jesus for our eternal life with him.…

Truth #1 Our Most Important Calling is God’s Call to Eternal Life

God has called us to eternal life but God’s sovereign hand in bringing you to salvation through faith in Jesus… is not God’s only calling on your life…

God does not save you, and then step back from you.

His plan is to sovereignly save you…, but his sovereign plan and presence in your life does not end there…

There is another way in which Paul uses the word call here and it begins in verse 17.

So lets read it again.

1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV

17 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.

Truth #2 God is Sovereign Over Our Life Assignment

There is a depth of theological richness in this sentence from Paul.

There is a glorious God represented in this sentence.

He is a sovereign God capable of controlling untold billions of details for his glory and the unique good of his children.

He is the only one in the cosmos with the authority and power to give life assignments.

There is not only a glorious God represented in this sentence, but there is a humbling that takes place in this sentence.

There is perhaps for some an uncomfortable truth in this sentence.

We love independence.

We love the idea of total unequivocal freedom to do whatever we want whenever we want.

Many of us were told consistently that we could be

and we could do whatever we wanted in this life as long as we put our minds to it.

Not only were we told this, but then we were handed these little devices that we could put in our pockets.

And these devices would give us the manufactured allusion of being limitless.

They would give us the allusion of being able to transcend time and space.

..the allusion of being able to build any kind of life in any kind of place with any kind of person.

We hold in our hands endless possibilities… any job, any location, and any life we can construct.

And as we mindlessly scroll, we covet the greener grass in every other place then the place we inhabit presently… a place where God has currently placed us.

The allusion of limitlessness is just not true.

There is one limitless being in the universe, and it is not you.

I want you to consider for just a moment all the things that you did not choose about your life:

You did not choose where you would be born.

Your life would look very different if you had been born in North Korea.

Your life would look very different if you had been born in Somalia.

Your life would look very different if you had been born in Ukraine.

But you were not born in those places, and not by your choice.

You didn’t put in an order with God before your existence.…

No you were totally subject to the will of a sovereign God in the location of your birth.

The same goes for the parents you were born to.

You did not choose them.

You did not choose how you would be raised, or what sufferings or joys you might experience.

You did not choose the gender you were born into.

Your life would look radically different had you been born as a different gender then you were born into.

You did not choose to be born a man.

You did not choose to be born a woman.

That was assigned to you without your input…

For the most part, you did not choose what you look like. You can will yourself all you want to play in the NBA, but if your five feet tall with 6 inch vertical, You are limited in a way that was totally out of your control.

Furthermore, You don’t choose what you’re gifted in. Some of you were born with the ability to sing, some of you were not. Some of you were born with the ability to public speak Some of you were not. You didn’t choose any of this, but you find within yourself a natural proclivity to certain tasks and not to others.

Everyone is always subject to things that are outside of their control…,

But when the Christian puts faith in Christ..,

they now acknowledge a God who has total control And who is committed to their eternal good.

Now what does that mean for the Christian?

It means we accept from the hand of God the things in our lives that are outside of our control because we can trust the God who is in control.

It means we, “lead the life that God has assigned” to us.

It means we look for God in the life season, stage, and situation that we have been placed in…

and it means that changing our season, or stage, or situation …does not consume our mind’s attention.

We will not have more of God in a future kind of life then we have right now.

He has assigned to us this moment and he has not in fact promised us another moment in this life.

In the context of 1 Corinthians 7 and the passage we saw last week, there were some in Corinth hoping to get out of the difficult marriages they were in with unbelieving spouses…,

This sentence addresses those seeking to escape such circumstances…

It instructs them, lead the life the Lord has assigned to you…, part of that assignment is glorifying God in this difficult marriage…

Truth #2 God is Sovereign Over Our Life Assignment

Now having laid down this principle, Paul goes on to illustrate this principle with two very different examples.

One that is physical and one that more directly socio-economic

continue with me in verse 18.

1 Corinthians 7:18–20 ESV

18 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. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.

Before Christ’s fulfillment of the Old Covenant, Israelite people were commanded to circumcise their sons as a symbol and sign of the God’s promises to them.

This physical surgical act separated every male Israelite from the other pagan nations that they were to live among.

It would be a sign to anyone that they were set apart for the one true God.

They were not to inter-marry with Gentiles who did not worship the one true God.

They were not to share table fellowship with Gentiles who did not worship the one true God.

The physical mark symbolized the spiritual set apartness of the people of Israel, a promise that salvation would come through the seed of Abraham…

When Christ came, however, he fulfilled that promise.

He was the seed, the offspring of Eve, son of Abraham, son of David, who came to fulfill all the Old Testament promises.

Jesus came to offer salvation to all who would believe both Jew and Gentile… both circumcised and uncircumcised.…

Circumcision was no longer the physical symbol of being one of God’s people.

Being Jewish was no longer the mark of being one of God’s people.

Circumcision, however, still had social ramifications, and was the source of much debate.

Some Jews, falsely, continued to teach that this physical act was required for anyone who wanted to be saved.

They insisted that adult Gentile men would have to undergo a procedure if they wanted the fullness of eternal and abundant life in Christ.

On a theological level, they said this was necessary.

On a practical level, being an uncircumcised gentile made it hard to minister to Jews.

On the other side of the equation though…

Gentiles in Corinth and Greek elites would have looked down on the Jewish people.

Circumcision for them was not a sign of prestige, but rather lower social class.

Some Jews may have wanted to fit in with their Greek superiors at the gymnasiums or the public bath houses where such things would be noticed… and they would want to hide such distinction.

This physical mark had social ramifications.

It opened certain doors with certain people, and closed other doors with other people in a world where there was a great Jew and Gentile divide.

Thus, this serves as a perfect example of Paul’s principle for this chapter.

Some may have been tempted to undergo a serious physical change in order to gain some social, spiritual, practical prestige…,

But Paul’s encouragement for them is not to seek a physical change…, but rather to seek obedience in the body they had when they were saved. ……

Even their physical marker or lack thereof when they were called to Christ is part of God’s plan to use them in unique ways…,

Don’t worry about trying to change that situation, rather focus on what matters… obeying God in that situation. ……

Look at the text again.

1 Corinthians 7:19–20 ESV

19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.

Truth #3 God Calls Us to Obedience Within Our Life Assignment

There is a proclivity within us to make primary what is not primary.

We emphasize things that God doesn not emphasize, while we overlook the things that God makes most clear.

Some of us are always striving so hard to change our life situation that we are never actually obedient or faithful in the season we are in.

We are always seeking to make a big change while simultaneously missing the thousands of smaller opportunities to glorify God as we are.

Paul says do not prioritize what in God’s eyes is of no consequence, while ignoring what God has clearly commanded in his word.

There is apparently some within the Corinthian church making arguments over what is more spiritually advantageous, circumcision or uncircumcision…. ,meanwhile, according to chapters 1-6… there are members in the Corinthian church sleeping with prostitutes, suing one another, and entertaining ongoing incestious relationships. …

How silly.

But how familiar.

How often do we seek change of circumstance more than we seek change of heart?

Don’t assume that change of circumstance is the answer if you are incapable of obedience in your present life assignment…

First, Paul uses this physical example and he highlights obedience… next he highlights a more directly social circumstance. …

1 Corinthians 7:21–24 ESV

21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 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. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

I want you to note that Paul is not totally against a change in Life situation.

We have the freedom to move, or change jobs, or change relationship status.

For those who are bondservants, Paul basically says yeah sure gain your freedom if you get the opportunity…

He’s more concerned with what the priorities are.

He say, “Were you a bondservant when you were called? Do not be concerned about it”

Why?

Because Jesus has changed your priorities.

he has changed what most concerns you.

So what if your a bondservant, your free in Christ.

So what if your a freedman, your a servant of Christ.

And again Paul repeats his principle.

1 Corinthians 7:24 ESV

24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Theres the real key.

Truth #4 God Calls Us to Contentment with God in Our Life Assignment

The goal of life is not social status ladder climbing.

The goal of life is not something that this life can offer.

there is a glorious constant.

A God who is not only sovereign over our life assignments…

But a God who is very much present with us in our life assignments.

The Corinthians were convinced that there was some higher spirituality they just had to reach for.

Paul says God is with you right now, be content in him.

Remain primarily with him regardless of what else happens.

Paul advocates for contentment as a person who had learned contentment.

Philippians 4:11–13 ESV

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Notice that this kind of contentment is learned.

Its a part of our sanctification.

Its what we should aspire to. Its what we grow in.

Its what Christ can do in us as he strengthens us.

Contentment in the Lord is simply the outworking of a deep faith.

We are content because we believe that our greatest source of Joy is our walk with God.

We are content because we believe that this world is passing quickly, and that we look forward to an eternal weight of glory.

We are content because we believe that our lustful idolatries and cravings will not be satisfied according to the imagination or our sinful hearts.

We are content because we are so thankful that God did not give us what we deserve…, rather he has given us grace upon grace…

Even if he never gave us a single earthly want, he would be eternally gracious for having given us Jesus.

Life change is not bad, but if you think that contentment is achieved by life change… you are sorely mistaken…. when you get on the other side of that life change you will find that your sinful heart is still there longing for what it does not have and ungrateful for what it does have…

Prioritize contentment with God before you prioritize some kind of new life for God…

Now lets recap:

Truth #1 Our Most Important Calling is God’s Call to Eternal Life

Truth #2 God is Sovereign Over Our Life Assignment

Truth #3 God Calls Us to Obedience in Our Life Assignment

Truth #4 God Calls Us to Contentment with God in Our Life Assignment

Let me conclude with a couple practical takeaways in your fight for contentment in whatever is your life present assignment:

1.) Confess your limitations and your struggles to God

2) Exalt the character of God

He is sovereign.

He is good.

He is eternal

the higher view of God you have, the more ready you will be to accept from his hand whatever his will may be for your short life.

3) Pray daily for Contentment and Joy with God

This is a miracle that must come from God himself. Pray for it. Plead for it. Believe God can do it.

4) Express Gratitude for God’s Most Important Calling on Your Life

5) Pursue Obedience to God’s Clearly Revealed Word

6) Seek Wise Council and Wide Open Doors to Help Discern God’s Will in Less Clear Situations

Lets Pray

This morning we have the opportunity to re-center ourselves on what is primary.

We have the opportunity to partake in the Lord’s Supper together.

God is gracious to us.

he recognizes that we are forgetful people.

He recognizes that we are a people who get easily distracted by what is not primary.

The Lord’s Supper was given to the church so that we might regularly remember what is most important.

And what is most important is what Christ accomplished for us through his death and resurrection.

In a moment several of our church members will pass out little pieces of bread and a small cup of juice.

These elements help us visualize the body of Jesus broken for us and the blood of Jesus poured out for us.

When we partake of the elements we remind ourself that the most important aspect of my identity is that Christ is in me and that I share this table fellowship with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are forgiven by the same blood sacrifice.

Its an opportunity for us to reflect on our own sin that we need forgiveness from. It gives us an opportunity to repent and to rejoice that all is forgiven.

If you are not a baptized believer in Jesus, I encourage you to let the elements pass you by. Paul gives stern warning not to partake in this symbolic meal in an unworthy manner.

Faith in Jesus is required for partaking in this.

Its part of the design… the meal makes you reflect on whether you have in fact experienced the most important call… the call of God unto salvation through faith in Jesus. ……

If you are a believer, I encourage you to especially reflect on your contentment and to pray that Christ’s sacrifice for you and your life with him would be primary in your life.

We are going to enter into a time of quiet prayer and self reflection as the elements are passed out.

I will come back up to lead us as we partake together, and then we will conclude our time with a song of worship.