Paul now advances to two more issues the Corinthians questioned him about - circumcision and slavery. And I love what Paul does here: he takes them to the cross and gives them a new identity. Let’s read about it:
“Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. 18 For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. 19 For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments. 20 Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21 Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. 23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you”
1 Corinthians 7:17-24 NLT
Question 1. What references to the cross do you find in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 NLT? Please share.
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In Corinth, circumcised Jews were attempting to fit in with the Gentiles by undoing their circumcision surgically (see 1 Maccabees 1:14-15; Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.1). Paul discouraged this practice saying, in essence, "It doesn't matter! Forget about circumcision. You are not a Jewish Christian or a Gentile Christian; you are just a Christian, and that is your new identity!” We need no other labels or other identities when following Christ!
Think of how freeing this is! No matter your religious background or whatever you did to your body, you can forget about it. In Christ, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), you have a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26-27), and you can move forward in your new life in Him!
“For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments”
1 Corinthians 7:19
And what precisely are these commandments of God we are to obey? 1 John 3:23-24 tells us, “And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.
Regarding slavery, Paul teaches that the gospel is the great equalizer. He advises slaves to gain their freedom if possible, but if not, they should consider themselves “free in Christ”. To those who are free people, he counsels that they should see themselves as "slaves of Christ." In other words, social status does not matter to Christ, and it should not matter to us. Rich and poor can all worship the Lamb who was slain together, for we are all one in Christ and our pasts aren't relevant.
Friend, your spiritual and social past are not the point. All those issues, indeed, your entire past, have been nailed to a cross and buried in a tomb! You are now free to live as simply a follower of Jesus. It’s your identity!
The cross was the motivation for the Corinthians and is for us to avoid enslavement to worldly ideology: God paid a high price for you, so don't be enslaved by the world (1 Corinthians 7:23). Paul wants us free from all worldly enslaving systems, all worldly identities, so he reminds us of the price paid for us. It was a shockingly high price - God's own blood (Acts 20:28) was shed to purchase you. You're His! Let that be your identity from now on!
Question 2. Why is it important not to take on any identity from the world but rather live in the truth that Jesus purchased you and has given you a new identity as His follower?
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