City Life Starter

The WORD:

1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (ESV)

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can avail your freedom, avail yourself the opportunity). For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.”

James 1:17 (ESV)

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

By Heather Mattingly

Jesus’ call to us is simply to “Come.” (Matt 11:28, Matt 14:29, John 6:37). Specifically, to come as we are, in whatever state we are in: married, single, following the rules, not following the rules, employed, unemployed, a servant, a freedman. Thus far in the 7th chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Paul has been admonishing how to live for Jesus as a person who is married or single, but now switches his illustration to circumcision and bondservant-hood. Why?

Because he is trying to solidify the point that we are not our own. Whatever physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual status we are in today is how we are called to exist, to live, to BE, for Jesus. Our physical bodies are the starting place for offering our lives as a holy sacrifice to the Lord. Missionary Elisabeth Elliot wrote about this topic in her book, ‘Discipline: The Glad Surrender,” and I’d like to share an excerpt with you here: “More spiritual failure is due, I believe, to this cause than to any other: the failure to recognize this living body as having anything to do with worship or holy sacrifice. This body is, quite simply, the starting place. Failure here is a failure everywhere else……We cannot give our hearts to God and keep our bodies for ourselves.” (Elliot, Discipline, p. 45).

The status you are in right now is a gift; it is given to you by God for your good and His glory. Our Father of lights only gives “good and perfect gifts” (James 1:17). Good and perfect gifts are the only kinds of gifts He gives. If you have any doubts about this, let your eyes gaze upon the Cross.

Everything you are and have is given to you – the bits you like, and the bits you don’t. It is your portion! Psalm 16:5 says, “O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup. You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.” Will you accept the gifts He’s given you today? To accept the gift is to accept the Giver.

But what if you do not like the status(es) you currently are in? Ergo, the gift(s) you have been given? What if you want something else? What if you’re married and wish you were single, or single and wish you were married, or employed and wish you were an employer or stuck in a [family situation, job, relationship, financial situation, etc] that you hate? How can that be a good and perfect gift? This is where you need the power of the Holy Spirit to bring your situation to the Lord Jesus in prayer and then work with Holy Spirit to let Him empower you to do what Jesus commanded: deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23).

The word “called” is used in these verses 8 times. What, exactly, does being “called” mean? Especially to be “called” by the Lord?

Well, the original word for called in Greek is the word “kaleo,” which is a verb and means, “to call, to invite, to give a name to one, to call his name.” When God speaks, things are created (“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” Genesis 1:3). When God calls, He establishes His authority over the recipient of the call and gives the recipient a name and a purpose. (“God called the Light Day, and the darkness He called Night…” Genesis 1:5, and “…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1). It is the recipient’s choice whether or not to accept God’s call, thereby accepting God’s authority over all details of his/her life.

God spoke you into existence (“you have been born again….through the living word of God” 1 Peter 1:23), and now He calls you for a specific purpose – His purpose (“To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thess 2:14). He’s given you all of the gifts (the statuses) that you need to achieve His will in your life today. Will you accept the gifts He’s given you today?

PRAYER:
“Father, I know You have called my name, just as I am, and I say yes to You again today. I give you my physical body with no restraints. Father, I’m not happy with my current status of ________________, but I trust You that it is Your ‘good and perfect gift’ (Jas 1:17) for me, even though I confess I do not want it. But I want to want it, and to be grateful to You for it. Holy Spirit, will You help me be content and grateful for who I am and where I am in life today, please? Help me to accept Your will and do Your will, and not mine, today. Please ‘let it be unto me according to Your word.’ (Luke 1:38). Amen.”