Higher Calling

Meditations in First Corinthians 

May 13, 2022

Higher Calling

Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you?

1 Corinthians 7:16

Read: 1 Corinthians 7:8-16

On the day I am writing this, I saw news reports of Mother’s Day demonstrations in front of churches. In the protest over pro-choice / pro-life, the language used, the placards, and the manner of dress revealed the sharp contrast between the secular culture and the followers of Christ. This contrast was even sharper in first century Corinth as the followers of Christ were a distinct minority. In reading today’s passage, it is important to keep this context in mind.

In Corinth, in matters of marital fidelity and sexual ethics, the contrast between the culture and the followers of Christ was as sharp as black and white. Paul was trying to help the members of his church find stability as they were living side by side with such a different culture. At the same time, he was reminding them that a Christian has no higher calling than modeling a way of life that invites others to know Christ.

My Takeaway: In the first century church, the sharpest contrast between the Christians and secular society was the Christian’s understanding of their eternal destiny: heaven or hell. That contrast has been greatly watered down in twenty-first century USA, and this is yet another point for silent meditation. Who within our circle of influence might be saved because of our witness?

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.