1 Corinthians 7:17-24 - Answering The Call

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated Reformation Sunday, commemorating the way God brought His church back into a true understanding of salvation by grace through faith. Martin Luther, who nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, was instrumental in recovering the great truth of salvation that we are no justified by any work that we do before God; God counts us as justified on the basis of our faith in God to keep His promise to save us:

Romans 1:16–17 (ESV)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Now, it is hard to overestimate how utterly transformative this recovery of the Gospel was for the world—we are 500 years downstream from that event, and the Western Civilization that we live in today has been shaped by the events of the Reformation in far more ways than we realize at first.

One of the transformations that took place in our world was Luther’s teaching and writing about the subject of vocation. When you hear about finding a vocation, what do you think of? More often than not, we think in terms of “vocational training”, such as what you would find at a “trade school” like Jeff Tech or Clearfield County Career and Technology Center or Triangle Tech. Vocational training covers things like auto repair, truck driving, electrical and HVAC training, and so on. The kind of work you do with your hands, the kind of work that is considered “blue collar” work (and, not incidentally, the kind of work that, these days, pays a whole lot more than “white collar” professional jobs!)

But here is why I say that Luther’s teaching on vocation has so radically altered our world—because if you said to someone in the 16th Century that you were undertaking “vocational training”, they wouldn’t have thought you were training to be a cobbler or shepherd or blacksmith; the term “vocation” referred exclusively to taking religious vows. The word “vocation” comes from the Latin word for “calling”, and it was always understood in the Medieval era that there was a fundamental difference between sacred work and secular work. Anyone could be a wheelwright or a mason or a tailor—but you had to be specifically called by God in order to work in the Holy Catholic Church!

And this is where Luther’s monumental recovery of justification by faith through grace alone has its impact on vocation—since justification is by faith and not works, that means that no one type of work is holier than any other! The man who stood in the chancel offering the Mass is no more righteous than the man who cleaned the stalls behind the cathedral. As Luther put it, it is not just priests and clergy who are “called” to their work:

In Freedom of the Christian Luther comments,

Man, however, needs none of these things [good works] for his righteousness and salvation. Therefore he should be guided in all his works by this thought and contemplate this one thing alone, that he may serve and benefit others in all that he does, considering nothing except the need and advantage of his neighbor . (Retrieved from https://credomag.com/article/martin-luther-and-the-doctrine-of-vocation/ 11/02/2022)

I think it is important that we start with this understanding this morning, because when we are talking about biblical manhood and finding your mission for your life, it is easy to fall back into that old “secular vs. sacred” trap that Luther taught against. When we talk about how God calls a man to exercise dominion in this world as His representative ruler, it is easy to think that somehow means only spiritual dominion. That your mission in life has to include being a pastor or missionary or evangelist, but being an auto mechanic or die setter or truck driver is somehow unspiritual and therefore less valuable to the Kingdom of God.

But if you take that as your position, then what do you do with God’s command to Adam in the Garden? When God commanded Adam to take dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26), He was not calling him to a “spiritual” pursuit—he was calling him to tend a garden and tame animals and dig ditches and irrigate fields and do other things that we would today consider “blue collar”, “non-spiritual” work. But what God called Adam to do was as much Kingdom-building as what Billy Graham or Charles Spurgeon or William Carey or Martin Luther did!

The Apostle Paul addresses “calling” as part of his teaching about marriage in 1 Corinthians 7. In verses 1-16,he question had arisen about whether a wife who becomes a Christian should therefore divorce her unbelieving husband, since Paul had just taught in 1 Corinthians 6 that believers should not be unequally yoked to unbelievers in marriage. The central point of his response in Chapter 7 is found in verse 17:

1 Corinthians 7:17 (ESV)

17 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.

While the immediate issue at hand was the question of marriage, I believe that the way Paul develops his point goes straight to the heart of how a man should identify his “vocation”—his “calling” from God about the mission of his life. And so what I aim to show you this morning from this passage is that

A man who UNDERSTANDS where God has PLACED him will DISCERN what He is being CALLED to do.

Look again at the verse we just read. See the way Paul describes God’s calling--

“Let each person lead the life [some translations render it more literally “walk in the way”] that the Lord has assigned to him”

In other words, God has assigned the place where you are--

I. God has PLACED you in particular CIRCUMSTANCES (1 Cor. 7:17-20)

This is a very important starting point as you seek to wisely discern how God is calling you to exercise dominion. God placed Adam in a Garden—where has He placed you? This is not an insignificant question, since as Christians we believe that

Acts 17:26 (ESV)

26 [God] made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,

Look at your circumstances—where are you living, what are the boundaries of your habitation? What are the areas in which God has given you wisdom, workmanship and strength? What are your interests, what skills has He given you, what are you good at? This really is a good place to start; God places you where He wants you, so look around and ask, “Why has He put me here?”

Considering Paul’s development of his point here in 1 Corinthians 7, he gives two very important instructions for you as you consider your circumstances. The first is an admonishment--

Don’t try to BE SOMEONE you are NOT (v. 18)

We can see this in verse 18:

1 Corinthians 7:18 (ESV)

18 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.

In other words, if you are a Jew, don’t go through the trouble of trying to make yourself look like a Gentile (believe it or not, there were “circumcision reversal surgeries” in the first century that would keep you from being recognized as a Jew in the bathhouses of Corinth!) And if you were a Gentile when you were called, don’t go to the trouble of trying to become a Jew.

In the same way, brother, don’t kick against your circumstances with an ungodly discontent over who you are and what you think you can do. Clueless bastards are often marked by an inflated (but fragile) ego that believes that they are the next Elon Musk—even though they’ve never shown the slightest sign of ambition, drive or creativity. One of their own prophets, Brent Smith, sings it well: “Stop waiting on your fifteen minutes of fame / You’re not special!”

But for men whose godly masculine traits for ambition and drive and competition can get the better of them when they become discontent with their circumstances, the words of the Apostle Paul are important counsel:

Philippians 4:12–13 (ESV)

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

As you consider the circumstances God has placed you in, don’t try to be someone you’re not. And as you consider where God has placed you, make it a habit to ask yourself:

What does it mean to be OBEDIENT in this place?

This is the counsel that Paul gives those who are considering their circumstances in 1 Corinthians 7:19:

1 Corinthians 7:19 (ESV)

19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.

Are you single? Then obey God’s commands—

1 Thessalonians 4:3–4 (ESV)

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Are you married? Then obey God’s commands--

1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Are you a father? Then obey God’s commands--

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Consider the circumstances God has placed you into, consider where He has gifted you with wisdom and workmanship and strength, do not become discontent or envious, seek to obey God in everything. And understand secondly that, while you are to be content in your circumstances,

II. God has GIVEN you particular OPPORTUNITIES (1 Cor. 7:21-22)

Paul goes on to say in verses 20-21:

1 Corinthians 7:20–21 (ESV)

20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)

Looking with godly contentment at the circumstances you are placed in does not mean that you shouldn’t take opportunities to improve your circumstances, if you can. Paul told those who were slaves that they should understand that they were there because God assigned that place to them, but at the same time—if you can improve your station by getting out of slavery, then do it!

So as you are looking at your circumstances with the godly wisdom of contentment and trust in His plan, at the same time you should be asking

How can you ACHIEVE , where can you ADVANCE? (v. 21)

Look at who God as made you to be, look at your skills and interests and passions, and see how you can put them to work in your circumstances. Do you need more schooling? Do you need to get into shape? Do you need to crack down on the sins you are letting into your life? Ask God for the wisdom to see where you can use the opportunities He gives you to grow in wisdom, workmanship and strength.

And then take those virtues and start looking around at your circumstances—begin envisioning and planning: Where are there needs that haven’t been met? Where are there opportunities to build and equip? What needs to be defended and fought for? What needs to be torn down and replaced? Avail yourself of the opportunities God has given you in your circumstances to achieve and advance.

And moving on into verse 23 we see the next question you should be asking:

How can you SERVE , where can you SACRIFICE? (v. 22)

1 Corinthians 7:22 (ESV)

22 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.

Once again we come up to the inescapable concept—we’re really getting to the point where we should be singing Bob Dylan in church, for as often as the song comes up, but here we are again: “You’re gonna have to serve somebody”. If you are a slave, Paul says, you are free in God’s eyes, but you still have to serve your master. And if you do get your freedom from your master, you are still a slave to Christ!

And so the implication for your mission is clear—as a slave to Christ, that means that you follow the way He lived:

Matthew 20:27–28 (ESV)

27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

As you consider the mission God is calling you to, one of the essential qualities of that mission is that it will be a sacrificial mission. Taking dominion here in this fallen world means that your work will ultimately be focused on serving others, and not serving yourself. It will be a mission that is looking for ways to put your wisdom, workmanship and strength into sacrificial work.

Look for the opportunities that God has given you in your circumstances—where can you achieve and advance? Where can you serve, where can you sacrifice? A man who understands where God has placed him, who looks for and embraces the opportunities in his life to excel and sacrifice, is a man who will discern where God is calling him to exercise dominion. He has placed you in particular circumstances, He has given you particular opportunities, and

III. God has SET you particular REQUIREMENTS (1 Cor. 7:23-24)

1 Corinthians 7:23–24 (ESV)

23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Paul makes it clear in verse 23:

You were BOUGHT by God, so do not SELL OUT to men

If you are serious about taking up the call to exercise dominion in the circumstances God has placed you in, brother, there will inevitably come a time when you will be pressured to sell out. You will be misunderstood by those who do not share your vision, you will be hated by clueless bastards who are threatened or shamed by your constancy, enterprise and readiness, you will be despised by evil patriarchies that cannot keep you sedated and docile through fake fruitfulness and fake dominion. And you will be tempted to sell out—to go along to get along, to downplay your commitment to God, to re-align your mission to look more like the selfish ambition and vainglory of the world around you.

Don’t do it. Brother, you were purchased by the precious blood of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. You were equipped with every gift you need with masculine glories that have been washed and sanctified and justified by that blood, and you have been called to a high and glorious calling of representative rulership on this earth of God Himself. Your father Adam stumbled and fell away from that high calling, dragging our whole sorry world with him and passing on his failure to you as you inherit his sinful abdication and selfish ambition and self-destructive actions.

But the Second Adam, Jesus Christ, redeemed you out of that twisted, cold, broken masculinity and is re-making you into His image. And He not only calls you to reflect His virtues and take up His mission, but He promises that He will be with you in all of it! Look at the last two words of verse 24:

1 Corinthians 7:24 (ESV)

24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Here is a requirement and a promise:

Your mission will ALWAYS be carried out in HIS PRESENCE

Brother, wherever you are right now—whether you are just waking up from your clueless bastardry, whether you have been seeking for years to develop godly masculine virtues, whether you are weary and burned out from the confusion and animosity towards masculinity that surrounds you in our culture today, you have the promise that you are never alone. You have the promise of the presence of The Man Himself, Jesus Christ—in His Word that He provides you here, in His Spirit that dwells in you, in your brothers in Christ who surround you.

And that means that you can do this. In Christ you really can answer the call and take dominion the way God has designed you to. Because you belong to Christ, you have everything you need. Biblical masculinity isn’t a series of how-to videos, it’s not a checklist to follow; it is taking the map of the Word of God and the compass of godly wisdom and setting off for that mountain peak in the distance. And it begins with that first step—that dangerous first step that Bilbo Baggins warns his nephew Frodo about:

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” (Tolkien, J. (2012c). The Lord of the Rings: One Volume (50th Anniversary ed.). Mariner Books.)

And so let me encourage you with the closing words of Foster and Tenant from their book:

Get out there and use it. The kingdom of God consists not in words, but in power. Yes, misandry is real. Yes, society is messed up. But now that you understand the problem, and God’s design for you as a man, will you stay a victim—or will you fight alongside our great and awesome God? We exhort you not to despise the day of small things. Start little, build big. This is how God works, especially in periods of restoration. We are living in such a time. Patriarchy is inevitable. It is not whether men will exercise dominion, but which ones, and how. Choose this day to be such a man and to rule in the stead of your Father God. Take courage, brother. Be what God made you to be: a man. It is good to be a man. (Foster, Michael ; Tennant, Dominic Bnonn. It's Good to Be a Man: A Handbook for Godly Masculinity (p. 227). Canon Press. Kindle Edition. )

BENEDICTION:

Jude 24–25 (ESV)

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

What is the problem with thinking that your mission has to be “spiritual” instead of your every day vocation? What is the problem with thinking that your mission has to be “epic”?

In what ways should you be content with the circumstances God has placed you in? In what ways should you seek to improve your circumstances? What is the difference between godly and ungodly ambition?

What does 1 Corinthians 7:22 say about being a servant? How does the example of Jesus’ servanthood govern the way you will carry out your mission?

Take some time this week and begin evaluating your circumstances, limitations, interests and skills. How has God equipped you with wisdom, workmanship and strength in these areas? Pray that He will begin showing you how to exercise dominion over what He has given you!

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