1 Corinthians 7:17-24, Called to Identity in Christ

Theological Proposition/Focus: The Christian should be completely wrapped up in Christ so that their status in the world is irrelevant.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: The focus on life should be our identity in Christ, everything else is a potential distraction from that which matters most.

Introduction: Memory Verse: - 1 Cor. 7:17

Image: I will do more of ... when I become ...

Have you ever tricked yourself into thinking that you would have more time for something that was important to you if you only changed job, hobby, living arrangements, ... It is not true. I do read my Bible a lot, but I want to let you in on a little secret. I read my Bible a lot before coming a pastor! I thought that once I became a pastor I would have more time for reading my Bible and it would be easier. What I found was that it is actually harder for me to find the time to read my Bible. I still do it, and I have managed to increase the amount of time I read my Bible very slightly but it has been through sacrifices in the evenings that I managed to do that. I thought that a change in my status would give me a change in my habits. I was completely wrong!

This is how is works in life. A major change in status will not actually affect your habits as much as you might think. You want to form good spiritual habits, then do it now. Make you identity in Christ here and now.

Body

A Universal Rule: God knew what he was doing when he called you to salvation (17).

We have a tendency to think of all that we might be able to do or accomplish if only... We need to realize that God knows what he is doing. In Corinth it seems there was a whole lot of discussion about whether to remain single or to marry was more spiritual. The essence of Paul's argument is that being married or single is irrelevant to one's spiritual status.

Fact 1: God's sovereignty means He can assign you where he wants (17a).

What is it that we are to "just keep in mind" as we make life choices?

Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.

God has complete control and if he can place us exactly where he wants us. This is a key to the fact that God is sovereign,.

Fact 2: God calls people to himself with purpose (17b).

Imagine the situation in Corinth, a recent convert with an unsaved spouse.

Imagine that you are a Corinthian Christian who has just made the decision to follow Christ. Unfortunately, your spouse has not. You might believe that your unbelieving spouse makes you less spiritual. Since divorce is easy, and common you might then choose to divorce your unsaved spouse. Paul's response to this situation is No! God called you with a purpose. He knew that your spouse was not following Jesus!

An immediate application: Don't let who you were interfere with your present call to obedience (18-20).

Before we move into a more modern understanding I need to explain the cultural context.

Circumcision marked a person

Circumcision was performed in the ancient world in a variety of cultures. In particular, Jews use circumcision to clearly delineate a person as being part of the covenant people. However, in greco-roman culture, circumcision was viewed very negatively. In fact, some Jews who wanted to become more Hellenized would undergo a procedure to reverse circumcision.

For a corinthian, their past status as Jew or Gentile was open for all to know yet Paul says "don't worry about it!"

This is very consistent with what Paul wrote to the Galatians.

You may have lived a "very sinful" life before you came to know Christ (18).

Similarly, how you were raised before Christ, how you lived before Christ, don't worry about that!

You may have never attended church as a child. You may have lived a sinful life. Maybe you came to Christ from a pagan background. You do not need to change your past.

You may have lived a "good" life before you came to know Christ (18).

If you have never experienced some of the sins of the world, count that as a blessing, don't seek them now!

I used to listen to people tell stories of radical transformation that Christ made in their life and think, "I don't have that kind of story. You know what that is okay!

Either way, the call Christ has placed on your life now demands your obedience (19).

What counts in life in not one's sociological position, what counts is Christ.

I enjoy sociology. I find it interesting to watch as people attempt to move between social spheres and navigate sociological structures. But, the reality is that our sociological constructs are really meaningless! On the grand scale. What matters is obeying God. That means all that really matters is Christ!

As a rule, you don't need to change who you were in order to be a Christ follower (20).

Not that you may never change your social position but that this is not the primary goal in life.

The Corinthians were so focussed on social status that it had begun to dominate their life and Paul really says right here. "Knock it off!" Put your focus back on Christ.

Image: We need to celebrate those who come to Christ from a rough background and those who come to Christ from a Christian home.

If you do a quick google search for famous people who converted to Christianity you will find all sorts of results. We should celebrate those stories of lives changed by Christ but let us also celebrate the stories of those who came to know Christ at an early age and walked with Christ since that time. Both play vital roles in the church. Both are worth celebrating.

A general principle: Don't let your present circumstances take priority over service to your Savior (21-23).

Your present circumstances should not consume you (21a).

Slavery was a big deal in the ancient world.

and there were a lot of slaves!

In fact, according to Seneca there had been a proposal in Rome to make slaves wear a distinctive garment but this proposal was defeated because there was fear that the slaves would realize how numerous they were and revolt.

Again, fundamentally, the issue is one of identity.

If we would see our identity as wrapped up in Christ then so much else of our present circumstances begin to fade away.

Image: A good response to present circumstances. Write the check to the church

I have a friend who had been saving for a fun item for a long time. This friend finally reached the point where he had the money to buy the item and started looking at reviews sales etc. However, as he started looking it began to consume all his time. I was overjoyed one evening when he wrote me to tell me that he had enough of the being distracted by his desire for the item and instead he just gave the extra money to the church.

Recognize that each of us is employed in full-time Christian ministry (23).

Image: Full-time Christian ministry.

When I first started seminary I almost immediately noticed a distinction made between those who were called "full-time Christian ministers" and those who were not. What left a really bad taste in my mouth was that those in supposed "full-time Christian ministry" were held in high regard. Even worse, I noted that those in full-time Christian ministry worked 40 hours for the church and then relaxed while those not in full time Cristian ministry worked 40 hours for some other job, gave an offering based on those earning, then came and put in 10 hours at the church. Tell me, who is making the bigger sacrifice?

A summary: God called you to salvation for a reason, embrace God's working in your life (24).

Image: your job probably has priorities.

When I worked at the University I had a teaching, research, and service apportionment. One of the hardest tasks was making sure that I was not too preoccupied with service. There was no shortage of committees to serve on, but every hour spent on a committee was one fewer hour spent on research. Balancing priorities was critical. We are called to identity in Christ and so our priorities need to be in line with our calling. That committee work over there might seem like an immediate need but what is your priority?