FRUITFUL WHEREVER
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Opening Prayer
Gracious God, as I come to meditate on your Word today, I thank you that it shows me how to live, how to follow my Savior, to serve him and bring him glory.
Read 1 CORINTHIANS 7:17–24
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Concerning Change of Status
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.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Monks and nuns swear an oath of stability: to stay in the same place unless called otherwise. Do you feel a call to where you’re living at the moment?Although it’s translated ‘live,’ Paul often describes discipleship as a walk (v. 17). Answering God’s call to obey is the priority (v. 19). Why? Because we’ve been bought at a price, i.e., ‘bought in the (slave) market’ (v. 23; see also 1 Corinthians 6:20). Once slaves to sin, now the One who has redeemed us has the right to dictate our steps (Romans 6:17, 18). That’s why obeying the Lord has priority over changing our circumstances (v. 19). Even those who were legally free (v. 22) must see themselves as Christ’s slaves, and those who are slaves as his freed people (although Paul encourages escaping slavery legally, verse 21). No human leader should be given the place that belongs to Jesus alone (v. 23).
What makes the difference is that God is with us. The language of verses 20 and 24 is very similar in Greek. They both read, ‘Each one in the calling in which he was called, let him remain.’ The reality of God’s presence and power can transform us in and within our circumstances, making us fruitful for God wherever we find ourselves.
Apply
Are there decisions you need to make that require more of your seeking God’s will?
Closing prayer
Lord God, show me how I can be fruitful wherever you have planted me. Thank you that I am able to live for you, whatever are my circumstances, because you are with me and your power is at work in me.
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