OUR FATHER WHO CALLS  US TO ROLES IN HIS KINGDOM

In 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verses 17 -  28, the apostle Paul escalates the content of his letter by clarifying that the call of God on our lives is paramount to our histories and the circumstances of our lives.

As each believer is called to a unique walk in the kingdom of God, Paul adjures all believers to walk undettered.

If they were circumcised or uncircumcised when they believed, Paul tell believers that circumcision is nothing in light of the call of God and so they should not expend energy on changing their state. What matters is that they obey God and walk by His Spirit. If a person came to faith while a slave, they should worry that they are inferior or unusable by God. To be a slave of men makes a believer a freeman in God and his work as a slave is counted as unto God. If a person is free when  he came to faith, he becomes a slave of Christ and is duty bound to the commands of Christ. 

Paul adds that if a person can become free, they should make every attempt to be free and if they are free, they should not become the slaves of men. 

Paulˋs point is that all believers, as much as is possible, free themselves of obligations to the things of the world so that they can serve the Christ will all their being.

17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

25 Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is: 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.

Along the lines of keeping themselves free, especially during a time of  political and economic pressures, Paul advises believers in Christ to stay in their freest state possible.  If they are single, they should remain single and if they arae married, they shoudl stay married to avoid the incumberences of separating.

Nevertheless, Paul acknowledges that there is no infraction of a man or a woman decides to marry and his only caution on the matter is that marriage complicates ones life especially during touch times.

Amen.

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