December 12, 2004

CALLED TO PEACE!

1 Corinthians 7:15-24

   "...If the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace" (1 Cor. 7:15). Paul addressed the situation of the marriage between a believer and an unbeliever falling on hard times. If the unbeliever (not the believer) chooses to leave, what then? The abandoned believer is "not under bondage..." i.e., not bound by the marriage tie. The overriding issue is: "God had called us to peace." The possibility of the believer being used by God to bring salvation to the unbelieving ex-mate is still considered. Even in separation, there is the hope of cordial contacts such that his salvation can occur.

   Having mentioned God's "call...to peace," Paul pursues that topic further. "As God has distributed to every man, as the Lord has called every one, so let him walk..." (7:17). God's distribution and His call describe the situations of life, the stations of the life of a new believer at the time he is saved. The question being answered is: "How many situations in my life need to be changed and re-arranged because I am now saved?" Unlike the law of Moses when applied to the marriage of a Jew and a Gentile, now there will be no separation under grace. An unbelieving mate and their children were sanctified and holy! But what about other aspects of life?

   If one is called "being circumcised... let him not become uncircumcised," and the same for the opposite situation, because "circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God [i.e., obeying God's instructions for life is everything]" (7:19). Paul adds that "every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called" (7:20).

   "Are you called being a slave? Let it not be a care (worry) to you, but if you can obtain freedom, use it by all means. For one called of the Lord, being a slave, is the Lord's freeman: likewise he that is called, being free, is Christ's slave. You are bought with a price, therefore (since Christ paid for you) be not the slaves of men... let every man, wherein he is called, there abide with God" (7:21-24).

Ivan L. Burgener