Introduction
Reminder of context: domestic questions posed by Corinthians
Paul is a master counselor. He responds to these questions by reminding
them of biblical moral absolutes (like the proper place for sex), by alerting
them to impending developments ("impending distress"), and by
referring to broader biblical principles. In vs 17-24, Paul enunciates
the main principle from which he counsels in this passage . . .
The Principle
Read vs 17-24. Three times (vs 17,20,24) Paul makes his point, and vs
17b makes it clear that this is a universally relevant principle. STATE
PRINCIPLE: Grow where you're planted. We should accept our present
life-situation and focus on serving God within it.
He is not talking about moral or spiritual change—clearly God
has radical change in mind in these areas. Rather, he applies it to
life-situation issues that were pressing to them: ETHNO-CULTURAL ORIENTATION;
SLAVERY; MARITAL STATUS.
On the other hand, it is equally clear that Paul views this as a principle,
not an absolute. In other words, there are valid exceptions to this principle. We
know this because he acknowledges exceptions to this principle in each
of the areas he mentions: MARITAL STATUS (7:26-28); SLAVE STATUS (7:21b);
ETHNO-CULTURAL ORIENTATION (9:19-21; Acts 16:3).
So how can we apply this principle? What good is a principle that has
exceptions? It has primary application for both those life-situations
which we cannot easily change, and secondary application for those which
we can easily change . . .
Adverse life-situations need not prevent you from having a successful
& fulfilling life.
Evidently, the Corinthian Christians were being told that unless they
could change their life-situations, they were doomed to a life of second-class
spiritual citizenship (NO MARRIAGE OR SEX W/IN MARRIAGE; JEW/GENTILE SPIRITUAL
BIGOTRY; SLAVES AS SPIRITUALLY INFERIOR). In most of these issues, they
were not in a position to change (SLAVE MANUMISSION). In others, the change
would have been very costly (FORCED CELIBACY; UNCIRCUMCISION). You can
imagine the discouragement some of them must have felt as a result.
This mentality is still around today. Sometimes it comes from the religious
world in the form of unbiblical views of spirituality (CATHOLIC CELIBATE
CLERGY; DIVORCEES IN FUNDAMENTALIST CHURCHES; ONLY "FULL-TIME"
CHRISTIAN SERVICE IS TRULY SPIRITUAL; HEALTHY/CHRISTIAN UPBRINGING). Sometimes
it comes from the secular world (RACE &/OR ETHNIC BACKGROUND; PHYSICAL
BEAUTY; OLD AGE; EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS; WEALTH; SINGLE PARENT; HOUSEWIFE). I
wonder how many of us spend considerable time comparing ourselves to
others and concluding that we can't have a successful Christian life.
Paul completely rejects this mentality for three reasons:
Because fulfillment and success come from knowing and serving God.
And we can do this regardless of our life-situations. That's why he
says one's ethno-cultural orientation is "nothing"—what
matters is following God's will, and they can do that regardless of
whether we're Jewish or Gentile (vs 18,19). Likewise, he rejects
the idea that only non-slaves can have a significant spiritual life. Christian
slaves are already free (vs 22,23a) in the most profound sense. Christ
had already paid their ransom, [1] and they are already free from the
penalty and authority of sin and free to follow God's moral will.
Because God is sovereignly involved in our life-situations to advance
his purposes. This is why Paul refers to their life-situations as
"God's assignment" (vs 17) and God's "calling" (vs
20: "condition"). He is mysteriously at work in the circumstances
of our lives to advance his purpose and our good (Rom. 8:28).
God was sovereignly involved even the life-situations of our pre-Christian
lives. Just as he providentially worked through it to bring you to Christ,
he can also providentially work through it for your growth and service
(JOSEPH; JONI EARICKSON).
Because God is personally present to empower us in all our life-situations. This
is why Paul speaks of remaining "with God" in the situation
in which we are called (vs 24). Through the Holy Spirit, he indwells
each of us and is able to impart strength to cope victoriously with
all that life throws at us, and to guide us in how we can grow and serve
him in every situation.
Therefore, none of these things matter in the most important area of
life: loving and serving God. Knowing him causes these matters to fade
into relative insignificance. You can be and do the most important things
in life in whatever station in life you have. God is able to work in these
very situations to accomplish great things and bring us great fulfillment. Don't
believe the lie that your life is doomed to second best because you can't
change these things!
GOSPEL: God wants you to be free from the bondage of looking to uncontrollable
circumstances for fulfillment and meaning in life. He made you to get
this from a relationship with him! Admit that you've been looking in the
wrong places, and receive Christ!
Re-evaluate the way you make changes in your life-situation.
We live in a culture which makes unparalleled options available (EXAMPLES),
and therefore views life-situation changes in an essentially positive
light (burden of proof on those who disagree rather than vice-versa). In
many ways, this is a good thing. I know I certainly prefer to have greater
freedom to marry who I choose, live where I choose, pursue the career
I choose, etc. But there are also some liabilities of which we need to
be aware. God has a very different perspective for how we consider change
in these areas, and we need to adopt his perspective. Consider the following
questions . . .
Have you learned what God wants to teach you in your present situation? This
question is rooted in the assumption that God has been sovereignly involved
in your present situation, especially in the difficulties pertaining
to it, to mature you (Jas. 1:2-4; Rom. 5:3,4; Heb. 12).
The fact is, many of us believe that happiness/fulfillment is primarily
a function of our circumstances, and therefore the best thing to do
when your circumstances are difficult is to run from them into what
looks like better circumstances.
Are your boss or co-workers difficult to deal with? Quit and get
a different job. Are you lonely as a single person? Get married
to the first person who is willing, even if they are uninterested
in God's will. Is your marriage distressed? Get a divorce. Do you
dislike Columbus weather? Move to Arizona. Some of us are driven
through life by this "The grass is always greener on the other
side of the hill" mentality.
It may in fact be wise to make some of these changes, but it shouldn't
be primarily because you are experiencing difficulty in your present
situation, or because you subscribe to the GREENER GRASS philosophy. If
you follow this logic, you will develop the habit of running from
difficult situations, and consequently you will miss much of what
God wants to teach you through your present situation. God says fulfillment
is primarily a function of trusting him and allowing him to change
our character and values—and he often does this best in difficult
situations. Can you even articulate what God has been trying to teach
you in this situation? Can you say you have (substantially) learned
it?
SINGLENESS: Unless you have the gift of celibacy, marriage is a
proper goal. But focus more on becoming the right person than on
finding the right person. You need to develop the ability to practice
agape love in close relationships. You will need all the
character development you can get to forge a successful marriage.
Learn deeper lessons about trusting God to be your source of security
and identity, to provide a spiritual spouse instead of taking matters
into your own hands.
MARRIAGE: As we saw last week, there are valid reasons for deciding
for divorce. But often, there is no compelling basis—the marriage
has simply gotten more difficult than you anticipated and you simply
want out ("I don't have to put up with this!"). Is it
possible that you need to focus more on what God is trying to show
you about your own character deficiencies (SELFISHNESS; UNFORGIVENESS,
etc.) instead of on your spouse's faults?
JOB:There are many valid reasons for changing jobs. But there are
also invalid reasons. Do you have a problem respecting and submitting
to authority? This will follow you to your next job. Do you have
a problem with working hard? This is a character issue which will
affect your job satisfaction wherever you work.
How can you know if you have done this? You are able to articulate the
lessons you have learned. When you have done this, your whole perspective
on the situation changes. Instead of being restless, resentful and covetous,
you are able to be relatively content. This is because you have
experienced on a deeper level that God's will for your life (and your
fulfillment) is not being thwarted, and because you have seen him provide
you with peace and hope and joy (Phil. 4:12>>13,19). Sometimes,
you decide not to change your situation. Sometimes, God opens up a door
for situational change at this point.
What values are determinative in your decision? We all have
reasons for making changes in these areas. The main reason for most
of us is that we believe these changes will expedite the accomplishment
of what we value most. But do you have the right values?
We live in a world-system which tells us our highest values should
be material wealth, sensual pleasure and short-term gratification,
and fame with/power over others. But while God affirms that these
things can be legitimately enjoyed, he rejects these as unworthy goals
for our lives. He says our highest values should center around knowing
and serving him: things like advancing in our knowledge of his word,
having our characters transformed, being equipped for and playing
a role of service in advancing his kingdom (Mk. 8:34-36).
Sometimes, we can "have our cake and eat it too." But usually
we cannot. Usually we will have to choose between pursuing his values
and the world's. The immature Christian is still dominated by the
values of the world and allows them to be the basis for important
life-situation decisions. But the spiritually-minded Christian is
operating on another basis: spiritual expedience (DEFINE).
I am disturbed by the number of Christians (including in this church)
who routinely make major life-situation decisions without seriously
considering their spiritual expedience.
JOB: Why are you taking that job?"Because it pays more money,
is more in line with what I like doing, and has greater advancement
potential." These are certainly valid reasons for considering
the change—but what about other issues? What about how it will
affect your time for involvement in spiritual growth and ministry? Have
you ever turned down a job because it was too costly to your spiritual
life? [2]
GEOGRAPHICAL MOVE: Why are you moving? "Because I've always
planned to, I like that area of the country better, I have relatives
there, the job seems better." Again, there is nothing intrinsically
wrong with these things—but what about other issues? Do you
know you will have as good or better opportunity for spiritual growth,
equipping, and service? How much have you prayerfully considered
these matters?
MARRIAGE: Why are you marrying this person? "Because I am
in love, I am lonely, etc." These are valid considerations,
but what about more important issues? Is he/she a committed Christian
(are you?)? Do you have common goals for serving God? Have you seen
evidence that you can serve God better together than alone? Has
your relationship enhanced or hindered your walks with God?
You have the freedom to make all of these decisions, but you also bear
the responsibility and will face the consequences for them. Learn to choose
prayerfully and wisely (2 COLUMNS)!! This is why seeking counsel from
mature Christians is so helpful (PROVERBS; they know biblical priorities,
have experience, see implications, etc.).
What if you have made some poor decisions? Remember God's grace! He
still accepts you, and is ready to teach you and work with you where you
are . . . get up and press on!
Footnotes
[1] "In the ancient world
it was possible for a slave at a great effort to purchase his own freedom . . . In
the little spare time he had, he took odd jobs and earned a few coppers.
His master had the right to claim commission even on these poor earnings.
But the slave would deposit every farthing he could earn in the temple
of some god. When, it might be at the end of years, he had his complete
purchase laid up in the temple, he would take his master there, the
priest would hand over the money, and then symbolically the slave would
become the property of the god and therefore free of all men. That
was what Paul was thinking of. The Christian man has been purchased
by Christ; and therefore, no matter what his human may be, he is free
of all men because he is the property of Christ." William Barclay,
The Letters to the Corinthians (Philadelphia: Westminster Press,
1977), p. 65.
[2] "(American Christians')
primary goals (are) gaining financial security and social position.
They (want) to be pious enough to be prosperous. But the church (is)
not the hub of their lives; it (is) a spoke on the edge of their concerns.
It (is) not the mission station out of which their kingdom vocation
was discerned and supported, but a therapy center supporting their 'careers' . . . American
society . . . trains us to be patriotic consumer-producers."
Richard Lovelace, Renewal As a Way of Life(Downers Grove: InterVarsity
Press, 1985), pp. 167,168.