https://youtu.be/jkXUzskVMTg

Download Audio: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTY5MDM4MThf
Download Video: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTY5MDQzNTJf
Download PDF: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTY5MDQxNjlf

Priscilla: I Corinthians 7:17-24
Live as You Are Called

17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.

23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

[King James Version]

Dear God, my Beloved Father, today I offer You my meditation on the Word of God in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, about living according to Your call.

I understand verse 17 as follows: The Apostle Paul advised the believers in the Church in Corinth that if anyone knew of God’s call to them in a particular way, such as a call to remain single like he did, or to marry as instructed by the Lord, or to continue living with an unbelieving spouse, or to divorce, they should follow the commandment that God gave them for themselves. This is what Paul prescribed for all the Churches.

I understand verses 18 and 19 as follows: The Apostle Paul taught that the believers, whether they were Jews who had been circumcised or Gentiles who had not been circumcised, did not need to change anything about their circumcision status. They only needed to live obediently according to God’s commandments.

I understand verse 20 as follows: Every believer, after responding to God’s general call and accepting salvation in Christ, is baptized into the Church and becomes a son or daughter of God. They may receive a specific call for their service in the Church. Some may be called to be pastors and teachers of the Word, and some may be called to preach the Gospel. Others may be called to endure suffering for the sake of God’s name, or to serve in other ways in the Church. Each person should be faithful and remain true to the calling they have received.

I understand verse 21 as follows: The Apostle Paul advised that if a believer was a slave, they should not worry or be afraid, for the Lord will take care of them. If they had an opportunity to gain their freedom, it would be better for them to take it and not remain slaves for any reason, such as loyalty to their master.

I understand verses 22 and 23 as follows: Christ sacrificed His life to redeem God’s people from the power of sin and to escape the punishment of the law of God. Therefore, God’s people cannot be slaves to humans and live in opposition to God’s laws and commandments. God’s people can only be slaves to Christ, which means living for Christ and dying for Christ, obeying Christ over all other powers.

I understand verse 24 as follows: The Apostle Paul reminds God’s people once again that those who have been appointed for a certain task should do their best, faithfully fulfilling what has been entrusted to them. We remember the teaching of the Word of God: “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9).

Father, please help me and every person in the Church to obey You, live according to Your call and purpose that You gave us. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
05/05/2023