Serving where you are
Each of you should remain as you were when you accepted God’s call. Were you a slave when God called you? Well, never mind; but if you have a chance to become free, use it. For a slave who has been called by the Lord is the Lord’s free person; in the same way a free person who has been called by Christ is his slave. God bought you for a price; so do not become slaves of people. (verses 20-23)
St Paul urges Christians not to undergo drastic changes in aspects of life like work just because they have become Christian. He urges them to stay as they are – unless slaves have a chance to better themselves, which they are encouraged to do.
The point is, just because someone has become a Christian does not mean they must rush out to find a job that allows them to do ‘God’s work’. New Christians, then and now, were not expected to become missionaries, pastors or teachers. Rather, whatever their calling, they were to ‘obey God’s commandments’ (verse 19). Paul emphasises often to the people he writes to – including you and me – that this means obeying the law of love. Jesus commanded his followers to love one another, for that is how people will see his love in action.
‘Old’ Christians too usually serve God best where they are, for this is usually where the people are. In an Australia which is now a mission field, we often have to look no further to find someone who desperately needs to hear the gospel.
Father, when you need someone to reach out to the people around me, to bring your love to them, hear I am, use me. Amen.
by Bob Turnbull, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)
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