Monday November 9, 2020

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

However, each one must live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches.

1 Corinthians 7:17

Reflection: We are called to begin living as Christians wherever we are when God calls us. Paul emphasizes to the Church in Corinth that the starting point of their walk with Jesus begins in whatever life situation they are in when they first believe. This means that the people do not have try to undo their past sins. For example, Paul says that whoever has been circumcised should not try to undo his circumcision. Likewise, if anyone has past sin that they have committed, they should not try to go back and undo it. Instead, they are called to begin walking in faith in whatever life situation they are currently in. Another important point Paul makes is that once we believe in Jesus, we must immediately begin following Him. Believing in Jesus and following Him in our lives are two different things. When it comes to living in faith, we must not wait for tomorrow. Paul says that keeping God’s commandments is what is important.

As Christians, we are called to live under Christ’s authority. When Paul addresses slaves at the time, he says that they should definitely take any opportunity to become free if they are given it. Living in slavery is not what God desires for His people. But more importantly, Paul says that status does not affect one’s ability to live for Christ. In any life situation, we are called to live first and foremost as people who are servants of Jesus. For while each believer once lived under the authority of sin, with Jesus they are now free to surrender their lives to Him instead. Jesus bought us at the price of His own life so that we could freely live for Him.

Reflection Questions

-Paul emphasizes the importance of following Jesus now. What does that mean for our past sins? How does following Jesus now affect our current way of living?

-What is it mean to be under Christ’s authority? How is this different from being a slave to sin?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for paying the price to free me from sin. Thank You for saving me by Your great Love. You are the Good and Perfect Ruler of all things. Your Presence overrules the authority of all others. Please show me how to live for You. Reveal to me in my day to day walk of faith how to act and live under Your Awesome Authority. I pray all of these things in Your Wonderful Name, AMEN.

Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): 1 Corinthians 7:1-24; 1 Kings 20; Amos 4:4-13