All too often we tend to think that the answer to our problem is a change in circumstances. We think that a better job; more money; a different spouse (if you’re married) new friends; moving to a better location; changing churches – or transforming some other external factor in our favor, would bring about a vast improvement in our situation. But this is the view of the world.. and Paul is refuting this popular notion that a change in circumstances will solve all our problems – for this is frankly not the case. In this passage below Paul encourages each one of us to remain in the place where God has put us, while seeking to live our life in humble obedience to the Word of God.. and to the greater glory of His holy name.
“Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.” 1 Corinthians 7:20
We are to resist the idea that the externals of life contribute to our inner joy; godly contentment; spiritual growth and His perfect peace in our heart. And although Paul does not discourage us from making improvements in our external circumstances – his earnest plea is that we concentrate on our spiritual advancement.. not growth in our financial bank-account or a long list of Facebook ‘friends’ – for we were bought with a price and our calling is to give honor to the One Who purchased us.
Whether we perceive life’s-circumstances to be good or ill; socially fair or socially unfair; just or unjust; easy or difficult; encouraging or humiliating.. the issue is that we were bought with a price.. and however good or bad we perceive our situation to be, we have been purchased by God.. Who has seen fit to put us where we are – for a particular reason. That purpose has its roots in obedience to the Lord Who bought us. It has its fruit in a person that remain true to their heavenly calling and it is manifested in a life of faithful obedience – a life that is lived to the glory of God – a life that faithfully fulfills its heavenly calling.
As believers we are: called into fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ, and we do this through living in spirit and truth. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit of God and not influenced by our earthly circumstances. As God’s children we are called to enjoy inner peace and not internal turmoil. We are to: let the peace of God rule in our heart – to which we are called… Abiding in Christ and resting in His inner peace is the heavenly calling for every believer – no matter what situation we may be in.
The answer to every question in life is Christ, for it is only in Him that we have true contentment and lasting joy. The free-man should recognize that he is a bond-servant of the Lord, while the slave should rejoice in his freedom in Christ regardless of His chains – for we are bought with a price and should not become slaves of men. We were bought with a price – the precious blood of Christ Jesus our Savior.. and in Him we have the mind of Christ and should not be influenced by the world’s thinking, their philosophies, their mind-set or their world-view.
