1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (NIV)
Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
This section ties closely to the preceding subject about changing one’s life situation when one becomes a Christian, including divorcing a non-Christian spouse so one can find a Christian spouse who matches the person’s new status as a Christian. As intuitive as that sounds to some people, Paul’s overarching teaching is that a person should not make those kinds of changes.
Paul gives two additional situational examples. The first is circumcision. Some people taught that since Jesus was the Jewish Messiah, a person had to be circumcised, basically become Jewish, if they really wanted to be saved. Others, circumcised believers, read Paul’s teaching, and came to the conclusion that since circumcision couldn’t save a person, and might even be considered legalism by some people, that they should undo their circumcision. (And, yes, even back then they had very painful and sometimes dangerous surgical procedures to undo circumcision.)
But Paul’s answer is, circumcision is a non-issue for the Christian. Circumcision doesn’t save a person or lead to a richer experience, and uncircumcision doesn’t either. So, simply put, leave it alone. Whether you are circumcised or not, it won’t affect your relationship with Jesus, so don’t try to change it.
The other circumstance was the difference between being a slave or being a free person. In each congregation in Corinth there was a mixture of both types of people, and freedom in Christ and the fact that each Christian was a slave to Jesus were frequent topics of teaching and discussion. This had led some to believe that they should run away from their masters so that they wouldn’t be a slave to a human being. But, of course, that created a bad situation where the Christian became a criminal and a hunted person.
Paul’s answer is that the person should stay in the situation they were in when they came to Jesus, either a slave or free, although he does point out that if there is a legal opportunity to become free, they should take it, since freedom from bondage is always preferable to slavery. The point is, it is just as possible for a slave to be a solid and productive Christian as it is for a free person. And in the end, both are slaves of Jesus anyway.
Paul doesn’t specifically address people who might be in jobs that they realize are incompatible with Jesus teachings, such as pagan temple priests or prostitutes, whose very job requirements would cause them to violate God’s commands and Jesus’ teachings on idolatry and sexual purity. The teachings of Jesus Himself requires that when a person realizes that what they’re doing is sin, whether a job or just an activity, they are to sin no more (John 5:14, 8:11). But for things that are not sinful, Paul’s instruction is to stay in the situation you were in when Jesus found you, unless and until He specifically calls for you to change.
Father, this simplifies things a lot. Many people want to make sweeping changes in their whole life when they are saved, but Your instruction, aside from those things that are sinful in themselves, is to stay put, learn, and listen. If and when we actually need to make changes, like moving to a different community (or country!), changing jobs, or starting a new ministry, you will let us know quite clearly. Thank you, Lord! Amen.