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. 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. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
(1 Corinthians 7:17-24 ESV)
The following video invites us to consider the implications of what it means to obediently follow Christ while remaining in the context of our community and culture. What could that look like as we seek to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations?
Tweet this:Â What does it mean to, obediently in Christ, “remain in the condition” in which we were called? @VergeNations
Tweet this: What of a person’s cultural background can be redeemed in light of the gospel? @VergeNations
Tweet this: Do I conflate aspects of my own culture with what it looks like to follow Christ obediently? @VergeNations
Thoughts to process with people
- What does it mean to, obediently in Christ, “remain in the condition” in which we were called?
- What are the possible implications of that in starting a movement of Christ followers?
- What of a person’s cultural background can be redeemed in light of the gospel?
Thoughts to process with God
- Do I conflate aspects of my own culture with what it looks like to follow Christ obediently? Ask the Lord to reveal any assumptions you may have which are not actually in step with the gospel of His kingdom.
- Do I trust that the Holy Spirit will convict believers of sin, or do I tend to take that responsibility upon myself? Ask the Lord to help you cultivate personal dependency on the Word, not your own ideas and timeframes.