1 Corinthians 7:20-22

Christ instructs the new convert as to who God is and who he is and what his task is. This takes place in the first level of instruction in disciplining the new convert.

This disciplining process was given to the Church (Matthew 28:19-20); and especially to the pastors / teachers of the Church (Ephesians 4:12-16; Hebrews 13:17).

The next step in the Process of Identification is the answer to “Where?” That is, “Where is the new convert to serve Christ?”

In the first devotion of this series, Christ gives attention to the person of the convert. This is the learning of who he is in Christ; and what he is to be as an individual in his position as a Child of God. In this second devotion, Christ takes the convert to the next level of “The Where” he is to serve (that is, the place).

First in the Spiritual:

As part of His Body, the Church (Acts 1:8); he is to be a witness (“in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”). So wherever one lives according to God’s bounds.

This is to be done in church capacity and as an individual, according to Gospel order. But note, there are different offices (Romans 12:4-21; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31).

So whatever position in the Body of Christ you have been placed (which is performed by the Sovereign Act of God), you are to serve in that calling (1 Corinthians 7:20-22).

Each Child of God has his own pathway. Each is endowed with different talents, different places of birth, different educational and family backgrounds, and a multitude of events that make and form a person to be what he is. God calls His Children – some are poor, some are servants, and some are this, and some are that (1 Corinthians 1:24-31).

Second in the Physical:

The primary focus of this second devotion is on the “The Where.” The text verses say:

“Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.”  (1 Corinthians 7:20)

“Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.” (1 Corinthians 7:21)

Note the phrase, “Art thou called being a servant? care not for it” (KJV). Or, “Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it” (NKJV). This is speaking of where in the physical realm you were when God regenerated you (converted you). Paul was saying, Don’t worry about it; serve God no matter where you are physically. God may or may not change your status, “Do not be concerned about it” (NKJV). Or “care not for it” (KJV).

Paul goes on to say in verse 22:

“For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant (a slave), is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant (slave).”

However many times, because of various and sundry limitations such as job, talent, money, etc., we tell God we can’t do what He is asking. Moses did just that, when he was called by God at the Burning Bush to lead God’s Children out of Egypt; Moses said he could not speak well (Exodus 3 and 4).

It is true that we can’t perform God’s call in the power of our own flesh with success; but we can in Christ’s Sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5). We must learn early as a converted Child of God that God knew where we were when He called us. We must understand that Moses had been forty years in desert training before he was called to be the Deliverer of Israel, God’s People, out of Egyptian bondage.

Remember God had mapped out Moses’ life from conception and birth; being spared in the ark as a babe from being killed, rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter; and raised in Pharaoh’s court for forty years. Then God placed him in the wilderness to learn to be a shepherd. Finally, God called him for his purpose in God’s Kingdom work. Eighty years of preparation to be used of God.

Moses had been humbled by the past forty years and even by his physical limitation. “But God”! But God had Moses just where He wanted him to be when He called Moses to stand before Pharaoh and announce the ten plagues that destroyed Egypt’s total economy and food source; and then to demand of Pharaoh to release two to three million Israelites to leave Egypt to go to the Promise Land.

God called Moses where he was – in the desert, a lowly shepherd – to be a mighty deliverer, equipped with the Power and Miracles of God; to lead God’s Children to the Promise Land, Israel’s Inheritance of Promise by Covenant.

Don’t worry about “where” you are when God calls; for you are where you are by the appointment of God, “…thou hast appointed his bounds…” (Job 14:5c).

Elisha was a farmer plowing when God called him; Amos was a fruit grower. Some of the Apostles were fishermen, and one was even a tax collector. No one had ever heard of Gideon. David was in the field tending to his father’s sheep, only a young man.

Paul said this about positions in society:

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:” (1 Corinthians 1:26)

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” (1 Corinthians 1:27)

“And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” (1 Corinthians 1:28)

“That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Corinthians 1:29)

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

“That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31)

The “Where” God calls you is very important, because it is God’s prepared place to conform His servant to be ready for His Service. So, don’t despise your calling in life. Praise God for the journey.

If you are a servant of man and God calls you unto Himself; God is still God; and you are His Child regardless of your gender, nationality, position in life, etc. And where you are is God-appointed.

Now the next step to know is “How” you are to serve Him in your calling