slavery and freedom

Good morning friends,
In today's reading Paul urges Christians not to worry about their worldly condition but instead to focus on following Christ. He's right to counsel us to focus on Christ and to remind us that whatever our condition, we can use it for ministry. At the same time Christians are also sometimes called to seek to change their condition and that of the world around us. I think about Christians who advocated for the abolition of slavery or for civil rights. I think about Christians helping to lead people out of the slavery of substance abuse or domestic violence. I also think about Christians seeking an education to further their skills and change their position. All these things express the Christian calling as long as we keep our focus on following Jesus.

It's easy to get so caught up in education or work that we forget those things are part of our discipleship rather than discipleship being a separate part of our lives. Paul's closing advice here is particularly powerful: if we are slaves we are still free in Christ, and if we are free we are still slaves to Christ. "You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters." To that we might add, "Do not become slaves of success, or wealth or popularity or anything else."
May God bless you in your freedom and discipleship today,
Sam

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

17However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. 18Was 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. 19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. 20Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called. 21Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. 22For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. 23You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters. 24In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God.