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. Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 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. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. --1 Corinthians 7:17-24
To My Daughters,
BE CONTENT! LIVE AS CHRIST CALLED YOU. Our status in the world is not important...it only has meaning in the context of how God wants to use it in your life for your good and His glory. Abide where He has placed you...live as He has called you. As the Lord's freed man, we are bond servants of Christ. And what a wonderful, kind, loving Master He is! His mercy is boundless and eternal in the Heavens. He sent His Son to willingly die for our sins so that we could become His true children. He draws us to Himself...calling us by name. When we respond, He showers us with His grace and enables us to believe and walk with Him by faith. He rewards us according to our works...this sounds like justice but really think on it. He gives us all we need to accomplish these works He has prepared for us and then He graciously rewards us for our very feeble, imperfect attempts. He does not require us to walk on hot coals or make bricks without straw... He does not give us anything we can't handle and gives us enough strength to get through each day. He promises never to leave us or forsake us. If all this were not enough, He is the one that does the work and our very faith is a gift from Him! LET ME BE CHRIST'S SLAVE ANY DAY....and that is where my heart and my study focus today.
Verse 22 says this:
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
Some of the Christians in Paul's day were slaves. Paul is saying that although they were slaves to human beings they were the Lord's freed man and if they were called while free they were now Christ's slave. They had been set free from power of sin in their lives. Before we commit our lives to Christ, we are dead in trespasses and sin. We are slaves to sin. We cannot do good...we cannot NOT sin. When Christ enters our hearts, we are freed from both the penalty and power of sin. His truth sets us free from guilt, sin and misery! As I surrender to Him by His Spirit and obey, His grace is poured out and I am free from ME!! and filled with Him! I am not at liberty to sin and do my own will...but free to do HIS! Just as a slave owner no longer has power over a slave he no longer owns, sin no longer has power over a believer. We are now bond servants of Christ. Victory is ours in Him!
We belong to God! We have been bought with the precious blood of His Son. God investment in us is incalculable! He is the Good Shepherd. He will care for us well and will ensure that all that happens in our lives is according to His perfect plan of love laid out for us before our days even began. We can rest knowing that He will complete the good work He started in us and that all He does in us and through us will be for our good and for His glory!
And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. --Romans 6:18-23
Love
Mom
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