God Has Called Us to Peace
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Truth Taught- Serve Christ where you are and do not seek social change.
Paul concluded the last section by telling the Christians in Corinth that it is best to stay as you are. Don’t think you can serve Christ better or somehow be a better Christian by divorcing and if you’re in a mixed marriage where one is saved and the other lost, if possible, continue in the marriage.
He places a wonderful phrase in that section and I’m using it as the title for today…God has called you to peace. The reason I’m using it as the title for this week’s message is because he goes on to explain what he means by that expression. So, today we see what peace that God gives us looks like. I believe we will be enlightened by the Word of God here and simply understanding what it is God offers us will begin this peace process if you don’t already have it or experience it.
Do you know that as a Christian, God has called you to peace? Do you have peace? I’m not speaking of peace in the world. We live in a world that is sinful and anti-God there will never be lasting peace here. We live in a world that is fallen and will never be able to follow through in giving anyone true and lasting peace. In order to have peace as Christians, we must know the One who has overcome this world…
John 16:32–33 (ESV)
32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
God has called every Christian to peace. I pray, before we begin this morning that in Christ you are at peace. I pray that the constant turmoil of this sinful world does not pull you down into it but in Christ, you have transcended it and have risen above it. In other words, what I mean is that while we are in the world we are not of the world.
So, while the Corinthians thought that they could be more spiritual and find peace if they incorporated some radical physical change in their life, Paul is out to prove to them that they can be truly spiritual and experience God’s peace right where they are.
I don’t know how many people over the years have told me in some form or other that they felt that a change in their lives would make the difference. Perhaps a new setting, a new spouse, a new this or that would help them. I think moving to a different city or town, a change of scenery will help me spiritually, they say.
I hate to be the one to burst their bubble but the new change, whatever it is, will not give you what you’re seeking because it’s still you. You’re the problem. Not the town, the house, the spouse…YOU!
For the Christian. It’s too bad that I have to qualify what I mean by Christian. We live in America where everyone in Church and out really thinks they are Christians. No, what I mean by Christian is someone who has trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, reads the Bible and obeys what God’s Word tells them. They love Jesus more than anything else and most of all desire to serve Him. That’s a Christian.
So, a Christian…a real Christian has already been changed. Initially, they don’t seek change, change found them. That’s what Paul is getting at. His logic goes something like this…since you have been changed spiritually, been brought from death to life you don’t need to focus so much on physical changes because there exists within you change already.
The call to Christ has created such a change in one’s essential relationship with God that one does not need to seek change in other relationships, namely, with people. Automatically, by being in a new relationship with Christ one has already altered for the better all other relationships. So, there is no need to change these relationships when God is already at work changing those relationships as you are submitting to Jesus.
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.
Let’s trace Paul’s argument for the good of our souls…
1. Live Your Christian Life Now as You Are (7:17)
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.
The Corinthians needed to hear this loud and clear. We too need to hear this loud and clear. God is sovereign over all things which includes your life and your current situation. Since He is sovereign over your life, seek to be obedient now in your current setting. Don’t be like the Corinthians in that they thought a change would make them better Christians. They were not taking into account that God had them right in the position He wanted them and what they needed to do was to make today count for Jesus.
We are not going to sing Just As I Am or anything like that. That is not the point. What we are told here is that we must begin living out our Christian life in the situation in which God has us. You don’t have to make some big physical change to begin a life of obedience to God and His commands. In fact, Paul is telling us specifically not to spend time making changes in our social setting but instead get busy living for Christ now.
Paul tells us this is his rule and he shares it in all the Churches. We too must see this as God’s desire for us. Your life situation has been assigned to you by God. Embrace it and when possible, improve it but don’t get preoccupied with it.
When is the last time you gave God thanks for the life you have right now? Praise Him and His sovereignty over your circumstances because He is making you like Jesus.
This has everything to do with God’s call. We are to put our efforts in obeying Christ now and not worry about our externals. When we seek to change, it’s not so much our external situation we need to change but our internal relationship with Christ.
Philippians 3:12–14 (ESV)
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
What we are told here and this is so important for us to see. God does not desire a social change so much as an internal change because we must recognize that our current life is where God wants us to live out our faithfulness to Him. Right now, right where you are, in the current setting God has you, live your life for Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ESV)
4 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
Listen, if you desire to be truly spiritual and to grow as a believer, stop trying to change your social setting and embrace it and now begin right now in your current setting, thank God for it and obey.
Their theology was off. They focused too much on this world.
Notice Paul’s first example…
2. Jews and Gentiles in God’s Kingdom (7:18-19)
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.
Just as their calling transcends all other relationships so to their calling broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ lifts us up and over any social barrier. It makes us all one in Christ.
They were thinking they could be better Christians if they were circumcised like their Jewish brothers?
Galatians 3:28–29 (ESV)
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
All the social divisions are removed because in Christ we are new creations. So, Gentiles don’t have to become Jews. That does not make one a better Christian. Circumcision now counts for nothing.
So, if you’re a Gentile and get saved, you don’t need to get circumcised. If you’re Gentile and get saved, you don’t need to begin observing the Jewish holidays and festivals because they are fulfilled in Christ. Look to Him and Him alone.
Galatians 5:6 (ESV)
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Galatians 6:15–16 (ESV)
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
A Gentile should not seek to become a Jew, thinking they can serve God better. Circumcision is irrelevant. It does not matter in the New Covenant.
What does count? keeping the commandments of God.
Here’s his bottom line…don’t work to become God’s child (circumcision and all other Jewish commands) but as God’s child by faith (keeping the Law in Christ). All who are called of God should delight in obeying God’s commands not as work but as evidence of faith.
3. No Exceptions (7:20)
20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
Here he tells us again stay as you are. Don’t think that changing from married to single or from Gentile to Jew will change anything spiritually.
Remember, the fact that you are in Christ will sanctify your situation. Your setting is sanctified by following Christ not by changing your environment.
What about if you’re considered the lowest in society? What if you’re a slave? Surely, if you’re a slave you should seek to change your status, right? Not according to God…watch.
Paul’s second example…
4. The Slave and the Free in the Kingdom of God (7:21-24)
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.
We saw in marriage, the Christian was not to seek to change their status which, in the ancient world, they had the power to easily do.
We saw in the Gentile situation, they were not to seek to change their status to become more Jewish, which they could.
Here, we see Paul addressing the slave which could not change their status. To them he says, don’t let it trouble you. Don’t be concerned about it. Don’t let your social condition be a concern to you. Notice what a strong example this is…even if you’re a slave don’t think that changing your external social status allows you to be a better Christian. No, God would rather you be the best Christian slave the world has ever seen!!
Notice, he tells slaves while not being concerned with your status, if you get the opportunity for freedom, you should take it. However, don’t be consumed with freedom.
Here’s the theological reason the slave should not be concerned with his social status…
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.
You may seek too much to be free while forgetting that as a Christian, you are a slave to Christ. Be content where you are and obey and serve Christ.
God wants us to see something here at the end. Our calling has taken away the option of belonging to ourselves. You cannot be free. We are bondservants of Christ. This is true for every believer. It was true for Paul as well.
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.
Let’s close by restating Paul’s rule for all the Churches…Stay within your called status seeking to love, obey and serve Christ where you are. God has you there for a purpose.
Conclusion:
What is your social status? Seek to remain where you are and serve Christ there. What does that look like for you? If you’re married seek to remain married and serve Christ as a married person. If you’re a Gentile don’t seek to become like the Jews, rather serve Christ as a Gentile. If you’re a slave serve Christ as a slave.
Where are you in this? What’s your status? Rich, poor or famous or nobody? Where does God have you right now? Serve Him there.
LORD’S SUPPER
Resources Used
1 Corinthians by Gordon Fee
1 Corinthians by Thomas Edwards
Benediction
Beloved of God, those whom God has set His eternal love upon may you be thankful and serve Christ in whatever setting His has you.
May you focus on your status as a bondservant of Christ.
Never forget…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.
For God’s glory and our good, may we love and serve Christ exactly where we are.
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