Good morning! Have you ever been in a situation where you felt out of place? Maybe you didn’t quite fit in with the other people around you or someone expressed that you didn’t fit in. In today’s verses Paul is addressing the Corinthian church because some members were making it difficult for others to fit in. Join me as we continue our reading in 1 Corinthians chapter 7. Enjoy your day.

“¹⁷ Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. ¹⁸ Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. ²⁰ Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ²² For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. ²³ You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. ²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.” 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 NLT

During the time that Paul wrote this letter, there were numerous questions about circumcision and uncircumcision. It was to the point that people were more focused on circumcision than the freedom that we now have in Christ Jesus. He was saying to the church that there isn’t a prerequisite for being a member of the church. If a member was circumcised, uncircumcised, slave or free the only thing that matters is keeping God’s command.

Sisters and brothers, God has called us and designed us for a purpose. It doesn’t matter where, when, why or how God called us into relationship with Him, but what does matter is that we serve God in those places with our whole heart. So, whether you are a former addict, school teacher, student, secretary/admin, stay at home mom/dad, retiree, employee of a profitable or nonprofit organization, homeless or a prisoner in a jail, if God called you while in those places or into those places allow God to use you there. God will prepare and equip you for service. He will transform your life in a way that you can’t imagine.

Here’s my challenge for you today, if you have been called by the Lord to do something, pray about it, listen for the Lord’s instructions, and do it. Stop waiting or delaying in fear, because someone who is hurting or needs the fruit of your gift(s) is waiting for you.

Do not give into fear or the tactics of the enemy. God chose you, no one else can do the things that God has designed for you. “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings,” or their opinions of you – God chose you and called you.

Let God use you in a mighty way.

Father God, thank you for all the things you have done for us. Thank you for the forgiveness of sins and for salvation. Lord, thank you for chosing us when we were still broken and confused. Thank you for your compassion and mercy on our lives and for making us whole in you. Lord, we want to serve you with our whole heart. Transform our thinking and teach us your ways. Equip us with the knowledge and wisdom that we need to serve you where we are. Lord, keep us attuned to your word and the voice of the Holy Spirit as we go through this day. Lord, remove our fear and shame so that we may boldly go where you are leading. Lord, keep changing us to be more like you. In Jesus name, amen

Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!

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