1 Corinthians 7:24

Scripture: 1 Cor. 7:24  So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Teaching: We covered a bit on this verse last week, but I want to do a deeper dive today. This verse in the Greek literally says, “as he was called, in this let him remain with God.” Each of us has a present condition in which God saves us. Simply put, we are all sinful, the degree to which does not matter. But in that condition of sin, we are all in the midst of work, relationships, and circumstances (sometimes good, sometimes bad). While salvation, becoming a child of God with a heavenly Father, calls us to new and eternal life, it does not immediately equate to complete changed earthly life.

Think of it this way: the Greek word used for “repentance” is the word metanoia, which literally means to change one’s mind. Part of coming to genuine faith in Christ is acknowledging our own sin and our need for a savior. What we once did with impunity, we now look upon with shame, embarrassment, and guilt. This is because our minds have been changed by the recognition that Christ is Lord, we are sinners, and He died to pay for our sins. Now, we also do not stay in this state of shame because Christ has graciously born our punishment and has given us forgiveness and reconciliation to God. (Praise the Lord!) But, the point here is that our mind changes in how we view our action before we see them in light of Christ on the cross.

Now, back to 1 Corinthians 7:24: though our mind has changed on the things we do and our understanding of our own sin, we are not called to uproot ourselves from our lives in some sort of feigned attempt at living the holiest life possible. In the Middle Ages, many would come to this realization of their sin and then choose to abandon their lives and live as monks and nuns for the reminder of their days. If that is what God is calling one to, then follow Him there. But that kind of response and living is not the standard for holiness – our holiness is Christ’s, not our own. We are credited his righteousness, we do not add to it.

So what are we to do? Remain in the circumstances that God has saved us in, but live in it with God. To do this, we must trust completely in the promises of Scripture, that Jesus’ death on the cross completely satisfied our sin debt, and now, we live in freedom to serve Him right where God has called us.

Takeaway: How can 1 Corinthians 7:24 make any sense for someone who is living in a circumstance surrounded by sin and feels the need to extricate themselves immediately? First, every Christian who has ever lived has lived surrounded by sin. But secondly, the answer comes from a deep understanding and trust in God’s Word. Paul says this is Colossians 2, “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Paul says in Romans 8, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,  in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” We can serve him right where we are because of our confidence in Christ’s completed work on the cross. God has a purpose for you; He has called you to faith for a reason; He has sent His Holy Spirit to live within you, to counsel you in His ways, and to encourage you. Trust in these promises, instead of your own attempts at living a life that looks more holy. If you trust in the promises of Scripture and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, your life will shine brighter for Jesus than anything you can construct on your own.