Saturday after the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on October 1, 2022 by under
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 (NKJV)
7:20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.
Devotion
Scripture does not condone the evils of any type of slavery and oppression. St. Paul is using the example of slavery as another instance of how God can and does work great blessings through bad situations. In this case, he is emphasizing that the godly understanding of vocation and humility is proper over and against man’s illusions about freedom, pride, and self-will.
St. Paul also teaches about contentment in Philippians 4 and 1 Timothy 6. The Word of God makes the point that our hope and our peace is not in our control or comfort in earthly situations, but in God and His blessings. We do not pretend the trials and tribulations of any vocation are good any more than we say slavery is good. Such bad situations are an unavoidable reality in this broken, sinful world. But God’s Word and Spirit makes us able to love, serve, and be content in any circumstance because He makes us able to focus on His good things and look forward to the better things that will come according to His promises in Christ Jesus.
As we are called to be God’s faithful children, we are also to serve faithfully where we are called. We have no right to dictate our terms for improvement, just as Martha had no right to dictate to Jesus that He should make Mary help her. We each have our burdens, but we also each have our specific circumstances through which God will work His merciful plan for His people!
Prayer: O Lord, we beseech Thee, let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Thy succor, preserve it evermore by Thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
