A Call to a Contented Life: God’s Providence and Your Present Moment, 8/2/26

Today we're going to turn again, if you would

have your Bibles turned with me, to the book

of 1 Corinthians chapter 7, looking at verses

1 Corinthians 7 · chapter mention

17 through 24. The title of the sermon today

is, A Call to a Contented Life. God's providence

in your present moment. A call to a contented

life. Begin reading in verse 17. Was anyone called

while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is

nothing. But keeping the commandments of God

is what matters. Let each one remain in the same

calling in which he was called. Were you called

while a slave? Do not be concerned about it.

But if you can be made free, rather use it. 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. You were bought

at a price. Do not become slaves of men. Brethren,

let each one remain with God in that state in

which he was called. Let's pray together. Father,

thank you for this word. We pray, Lord, that

you would lead us as I expound upon it, Lord.

Pray that you would give me the right words to

say, the right interpretation, Lord. Clear up

any perplexities, Lord. And we pray most of all

that you would speak to us, Lord, that you would

lead us, that you would convict us where we need

convicted, and then encourage us, Lord, where

we need encouraged. We pray that in all, you

would receive all praise and glory. We ask in

Jesus' name. Amen. So in the midst of Paul's

teachings on marriage, on divorce, mixed marriages,

and singleness in chapter 7, Paul here makes

a short diversion to further consider the issue

of calling and contentment in the particular

life situation that Christian believers find

themselves in. Now the immediate context is the

peculiar situation of a believing spouse married

to an unbeliever and the possibility of separation

or divorce. versus staying in the marriage. And

Paul gave instructions about that in the prior

verses. Paul says, but if the unbeliever departs,

let him depart. A brother or a sister is not

under bondage in such cases. But God has called

you to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether

you will save your husband? Or how do you know,

O husband, whether you will save your wife? And

then he comes to this passage. There is a common

temptation to man to look at life through the

lens of if only. If only my spouse was a Christian

believer, or if only I would have done this,

or if I would have done that, or if I had only

not committed that sin, or would have done that

good thing. Even further down the rabbit hole

are thoughts like, if only I had married that

person instead of the one that I did, or if only

that eloquent or caring pastor could be my pastor,

or if only I could just have the gifts and calling

that this person has. Maybe you think, if only

I'd lived at whatever idealistic time in your

mind you think. Maybe that's colonial times or

Victorian times or the time of the early church

or when Jesus lived on the earth. Maybe you wish

that you would have different physical characteristics

and were taller or shorter or lighter in weight

or had different parents. Discontentment often

comes in three or more forms. One is circumstantial.

If only this circumstance would change, then

everything would be all right or I could do this.

Or surroundings. If only the people around me

were different. Or the other circumstances. Or

the other surroundings. We might wish that our

country were different. Or our politics would

be better. Or our work, that we could do something

else. Or if only we didn't have the family that

we did. Or if only our family would be in this

particular way. Maybe, depending on... On where

you live or the difficulty of racial characteristics,

you might wish that you were a different race

or that the people in your church were different.

Or thirdly, this discontentment might take place

with nostalgic depression. If only I had lived

somewhere else or had been born in a different

time. Now the key to a satisfied and a fulfilled

life is this, as Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy

1 Timothy 6:6

6, verse 6. with contentment is great gain. And

Paul is going to teach on this in our passage

today. But before I begin... I must answer a

question that will likely come up in your mind

very quickly as we go through this. In fact,

it might even shout at you. A question that could

stop you from hearing the word of God in this

passage. And that question is this. Is Paul saying

here, does the word of God mean that we cannot

change anything in our lives for the better?

That we cannot find another job or move somewhere

else or improve our circumstances? And the answer

is very simple. By no means. God has given us

great freedom to make moves or to change circumstances

or to have ambition and to pursue things. But

all of that can be done while still maintaining

a strong reserve and well of contentment. John

Calvin puts this so well. He says, Paul is only

seeking to check those impulses. uncontrolled

by reason, which drive men thither and hither,

so that they are confused by their own restlessness.

Ever the insightful and shepherding pastor, Calvin

puts his finger right on the thing that was troubling

the Corinthians regarding marriage, regarding

gifts, and other matters, and this so often troubles

us as well, and that is our restlessness. Our

restlessness, that stirring of the heart, the

complaining and the murmuring, or that drive

which is unsettled, it is disturbed, dissatisfied,

discontented, and not at peace. Just like the

restless waves of the sea roaring within, or

like Solomon describes in Ecclesiastes when he

says, therefore I hated life. Because the work

that was done under the sun was distressing to

me. For all is vanity and grasping of the wind.

Grasping of the wind. Go out to the 20 and 30

and 40 mile an hour winds that we had last night.

And try to grasp it. And you cannot. And that

is how he felt about life. Restlessness. Restlessness

is a scourge that will steal your joy. It will

diminish your enjoyment of life. And it will

leave you dissatisfied and empty. Always seeking

the next best thing and never able to find it.

Just like that mythical pot of gold at the end

of a rainbow. The answer to godly contentment

and the ceasing of restlessness is found in our

passage today. And Paul emphasizes it most emphatically.

He repeats himself three times in these eight

verses. Three times. So let's hear the word of

God as he expounds it. The governing principle

of this passage is walk in the calling that God

has assigned to you. And this is in verse 17.

As God has distributed to each one, as the Lord

has called each one, so let him walk. And so

I ordain, Paul says, in all the churches. Let's

break this apart. God has distributed This is

stated by this very matter -of -fact statement.

God has distributed to every man as the Lord

has called anyone, and so we are to walk. Now

Paul, on his journey from Berea to Corinth, stopped

by the city of Athens. And he went to a central

place in the city. It was called the Areopagus.

And it was the public place where the city council

would meet and where notable speakers would come

and would expound or propound new ideas. And

there he was preaching to the Epicurean and the

Stoic philosophers. And he made this very profound

statement. He said, God, who made the world and

everything in it, since he is Lord of heaven

and earth, does not dwell in temples made with

hands. Nor is he worshipped with men's hands,

as though he needed anything, since he gives

to all life, breath, and all things. And then

hear this. And he has made from one blood every

nation of men to dwell on all the face of the

earth and has determined their pre -appointed

times. And the boundaries of their dwellings.

Their times and their dwellings. God gave you

life. He gave you breath. He gave you all things.

And determined in his own sovereign inscrutable

will. That you would be here today. That you

would live in this particular time. in the United

States of America, in the home where you dwell,

with the parents that you have, and the children

that you have born. This is all by the hand of

Almighty God, who has appointed it so. This is

the doctrine of God's providence, which is brought

to life in our passage today. For the principle

in this passage is not only about marriage, what

came before, the immediate context. No, this

principle applies to every area of life. And

Paul then is going to go on and deal with two

circumstances that were very pertinent to the

Corinthians. The circumstances of circumcision

and slavery. We're going to consider that in

a moment. Then he says the Lord has called each

one. So this distribution from God includes a

call from the Lord. Now here's a question. Is

Paul, is this passage referring to God's call

of salvation? Or is he speaking of our vocation,

the particular gifts and opportunities that are

given to us? Paul does not say specifically,

but I think he's referring to both. It seems

like the first part of the passage is speaking

of God's call of salvation. But then Paul also

tells us to remain in the same calling in verse

20, which would indicate the life situation and

the vocation that we have. So let's consider

each one. God has called us, first of all, by

the gospel to salvation and to sanctification.

Paul tells the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 2:13–15

2, verse 13 to 15, he says, But we are bound

to give thanks to God always for you, brethren

beloved of the Lord, Because God from the beginning

chose you for salvation. Through sanctification.

By the spirit and belief of the truth. To which

he called you by our gospel. For the obtaining

of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore

brethren stand fast. And hold the traditions

which you were taught, whether by word or our

apostle. So as we consider this call to salvation,

Paul is emphasizing here how that God chose you

for your salvation. You did not initially choose

God. Rather, you responded to him because he

chose you for salvation and he called you by

his name. gospel for the obtaining of glory.

This is quite a statement. Now this is what is

generally called the doctrine of election. That

is the gracious choosing of people to be saved

in Christ. And they are given faith. They are

justified and sanctified and glorified. For this

call is according to God's purpose for you. Paul

expands on this in Romans. Romans chapter 8 verse

Romans 8:28

28 and 30. He says, and we know that all things

work together for good to those who love God.

God get this to those who are the called they

are the called according to his purpose for whom

he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed

to the image of his son that he might be the

firstborn among many brethren moreover whom he

predestined Those he also called. Again, we see

this call that comes here. Whom he called, these

he also justified. And whom he justified, these

he also glorified. Now there are many other scriptures

that could attest to this glorious fact. But

I'm not going to take the time to develop this

further. Simply the point here is that there

is a call to salvation that comes from God. And

it quickens the dead and makes them come alive.

And they trust in him and believe in him and

they have faith. and walk it out and work it

out. So, in this passage... God's call to salvation

is definitely the backdrop, but this call, this

text then also refers to God's call more particularly

to you in how you work it out, how you walk it

out. That is working out your salvation, but

also experiencing his call in your vocation.

That is the calling that you have to the earthly

condition or your station in life, the life situation.

including your ordinary occupations and roles.

God gave you the gifts that you have, the opportunities

that you have, the abilities you have, even determined

the sex that you are and the abilities that he

created you with. I cannot help it that I will

never be able to bear a child because I am not

a woman. God made me a man. And to you women

who are here, God gave you that gift. It comes

from him and was determined by him. Paul then

says, so let him walk. Walk according to this

call. So every person is to walk according to

God's distribution. That's his providence. And

also according to the Lord's call in salvation

and in vocation. To walk here is to make one's

way. It is to progress in life, to make due use

of opportunities that God sovereignly brings

your way. It is to regulate your life so that

you conduct yourself in a way that makes use

of the gifts and the abilities that God has given

to you to work it out. The purpose of this is

that God is glorified in your walk and with your

gifts. Peter says, as each one has received a

gift, minister it to one another as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks,

let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone

ministers, let him do it as the ability which

God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified

through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory

and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. That's

in 1 Peter 4, verse 10 and 11. Thus, Paul in

1 Peter 4:10

Romans chapter 12, he says, of the gifts differing

Romans 12 · chapter mention

according to the grace that is given us, let

us use them. Romans 12 verse 6. We find the same

Romans 12:6

truth in the parable of the talents that Jesus

gave, as well as many other illustrations in

the word of God. So this truth is not unique

to the Corinthians. It is universal to all of

us. Now we know that, but Paul already makes

a special point of it. He says, I command this.

In all of the churches, I'm telling all the churches

wherever I go, this self -same thing, this very

thing, they are to abide in God's call and God's

distribution. There are times when God pours

out special gifts on people. They might become

famous or maybe renowned. Perhaps they have great

responsibilities or weighty decisions. Maybe

they have the responsibility of nations or of

churches or of denominations or of worldwide

business that lie on their shoulders. God poured

out His Spirit in unique ways on the Apostle

Paul and the other apostles. Unique things that

no one else has had like it. He's done so, he's

poured out his spirit on great men of the past

and the present. But by the same spirit, he calls

most Christians to live a normal Christian life.

A normal Christian life. God calls husbands to

faithfully love their wives. Wives to love and

reverence her husband. to care for the children,

to do the many normal tasks of life. Some might

say, well, this sounds almost boring. I want

to do something great for God. I want to be noble,

something that is renowned. No, to most everybody,

you do the normal things of life that God has

given to you. Love your wife, love your husband,

care for them. The fact that God calls most Christians

to exactly this kind of life. For this is the

active and faithful walking with God in the place

that he has set before you. You get up in the

morning and sometime during the day you read

the word of God and you pray or you minister

to your children and to your wife or to your

husband. If you're a husband and a father, you

love your wife and you pray with her or you wash

her in the word. You minister to your household

and you lead them well and then you work diligently

at your job. You show hospitality as God gives

you opportunity. You pray for others. You attempt

to shepherd well those whom God has placed in

your care. You seek to be a wise steward of your

finances and you build relationships with the

hope of furthering Christ's kingdom and making

disciples. And wise with a few difference you

do likewise in fulfilling your calling and responsibilities.

And so the apostle speaks and commands in all

the churches. So important is this to Paul as

he is teaching that he repeats this command twice

more. Verse 20, let each one remain in the same

calling in which he was called. And then again

in verse 24, brethren, let each one remain with

God in that state in which he was called. One

would think he's really driving this point home.

But then he gives two illustrations. We're going

to look at both of them. The first illustration

is that of circumcision versus uncircumcision.

He says, was anyone called while circumcised?

Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone

called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is

nothing, but the keeping of the commandments

of God is what matters. So he says, was anyone

called while circumcised? Let him not become

uncircumcised. Now one might ask, how does one

become uncircumcised? After all, historically

though, in the time of the New Testament writings,

there was a surgical procedure that attempted

this. Because all Jews were circumcised, and

because of the way, the lifestyle that they lived

with the bathhouses and the gymnasiums and races.

One state of being circumcised or uncircumcised

was rather obvious sometimes. So what happened

is that Hellenistic Jews, who were Jewish people

in the ancient times, who spoke the Greek language

and lived outside of Judea in a kind of adopted

Greek culture, they then would undergo a procedure

to make them appear uncircumcised. And so this

is why Paul would say this is actually a fact

here. They wanted not to be obviously Jewish.

But on the other hand, there were some who were

teaching that Christians should become Jews and

they should be circumcised. This actually was

the thing that sparked the very first great church

council in Acts chapter 15 and verse 1. And certain

Acts 15 · chapter mention

men came down from Judea and taught the brethren,

unless you are circumcised, you cannot be saved.

And again, chapter 15, verse 5. Some of the sect

of the Pharisees who believed rose up saying

it is necessary to circumcise them and to command

them to keep the law of Moses. And so the apostles

and the elders came together to consider this

matter. And they concluded that no, this is not

necessary for them to be circumcised. They can

remain Gentiles. This is the big issue in the

early church, especially as it progressed from

initially being primarily Jewish. Until the Gentiles

were grafted in and then the gospel permeated

Gentile society and the Christian faith became

much more cosmopolitan, much more widespread

and less distinctively Jewish. Paul then says

this, he makes this very shocking statement.

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is

nothing. So he illustrates God's calling in this

way. If you're a Jew, don't seek to become a

Gentile. If you're a Gentile, Don't become a

Jew. External markers like this do not enhance

or diminish one's standing before God. Neither

seeking circumcision nor seeking to reverse it

carries spiritual weight. Instead, what really

matters is the keeping of the commandments of

God. That is, obedience to God's law and word

in the whole Bible as progressively revealed

from Old Testament to New Testament and flowing

from the new identity in Christ. We see this

so clearly and yet it was such a big thing. It's

this restlessness again that I described earlier.

Oh, if only I would be this way. To the Hellenistic

Jew is only if I could be a Gentile and act like

them and be like them. So I'm going to do what

I can so that I can fit in. Or the other way

around. No, it didn't matter. He says, it is

nothing. Of course, Paul repeats this to the

Galatians in chapter 6, verse 15. He says, for

in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision

avails anything but a new creation. And as many

as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy

be upon them and upon the Israel of God. Now

we can certainly take this and apply it to other

areas in our life as well. Things that might

really matter. For example, we could talk about

the issues of race. Some might wish, oh, I would

be more acceptable to God if I were this particular

race or that particular race or whatever it is.

And yet we're all created in the image of God.

And so again, it is nothing. Be thankful for

where you were born. Be thankful for the blessings

and the privileges that you have that God has

specifically granted to you. But don't sweat

it. Don't long to be, oh, if only I were this

or that. No, you trust in the Lord that he has

made you in the way that he has. And so also

it was with circumcision and uncircumcision.

The second illustration that Paul uses, Is that

of slavery or freedom? Verses 21 to 23. He says,

Let each one remain in the same calling in which

he was called. Were you called while a slave?

Do not be concerned about it. But you can be

made free, if you can be made free. Rather, use

it. 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. You were

bought with a price. Do not become slaves of

men. So Paul addresses here slavery and freedom

as another illustration. Again, this was very

real. Slavery being quite commonplace in the

Roman and the Greek empires. Many slaves had

come to be part of the Christian church. Now

some of the slavery was horrific. Chained gangs

working in mines with beatings and minimal food.

short life expectancies only to be replaced again

as soon as they were dead. Large farms and ranches

used chained field gangs. Runaways were hunted,

and recaptured slaves could be branded on their

faces or on their foreheads, or they could be

collared or flogged or even crucified. Galley

slaves were rowers chained to benches in the

ships and driven by the whip with high mortality

from exhaustion. and disease and battle. Some

of the slaves were trained as gladiators. Sexual

exploitation was a feature of the slave system.

But some slaves were also trusted slaves where

they worked as secretaries or teachers or accountants

or even doctors. And yet, Paul says, were you

called while a slave? Don't be concerned about

it. Do not be anxious about your social status.

Even in slavery, there could be contentment without

the restlessness. However, if there was a possibility

of freedom, he encouraged them to take it, that

they should, if possible, to take it. Alistair

Begg gives this illustration and he says, some

slaves could buy their freedom. They were able

to work side jobs, give a percentage to the owner,

and then they would deposit the rest at the temple.

Once the market rate for the slave was deposited,

then the slave would take the master to the temple.

The master then would receive the money from

the temple, and the slave would become free from

the master, but a slave to the God, to the God

of the temple. In essence then, buying his freedom.

By becoming a slave of the God, they became free.

Well, Paul uses this thing that was happening

there, and he shows how this works spiritually

with Christ. That is, 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.

We respond to Christ. We are under his authority,

yes. But slavery to Christ actually brings great

freedom. Great freedom. Freedom in Christ was

not dependent on their circumstances of being

a slave or of getting their freedom. This was

indeed revolutionary teaching, and it set the

slaves free to serve the Lord with a cheerful

heart, even while serving their masters, but

also to make use of the opportunities for freedom

as they came. Slaves were full members of the

Christian church. Sometimes they would actually

worship together with their masters, with other

free people. There are many, many of the epistles

have references and instructions to slaves and

to servants as well as masters. Ephesians 6 verse

Ephesians 6:5

5, bond servants be obedient to those who are

your masters according to the flesh with fear

and trembling and sincerity of heart is unto

Christ. And then verse 9, and you masters do

the same things to them. Giving up threatening,

knowing that your own master also is in heaven

and there's no partiality with him. Same in Colossians

Colossians 3:22

chapter 3 verse 22. Bond servants, obey in all

things your masters according to the flesh, not

with eye service as men pleasers, but in sincerity

of heart, fearing God. And then chapter 4 verse

1. Masters, give your bond servants what is just

and fair, knowing that you also have a master

in heaven. Things like this were repeated in

1 Timothy chapter 6, verse 1 and 2, in Titus

1 Timothy 6:1 Titus 2:9

chapter 2, verse 9 and 10, and in 1 Peter 2,

1 Peter 2:18

verse 18. Paul makes the point here that you

were bought with a price. That is the precious

blood of Christ, verse 23. This points back to

his statement in chapter 6, verse 20 of 1 Corinthians.

You were bought at a price, therefore glorify

God in your body and in your spirit, which are

God's. Therefore, even if you are a slave, refuse

to become enslaved to human masters or human

system in a way that compromises loyalty to the

Lord. For again, there is neither Jew nor Greek,

there is neither slave nor free, there is neither

male nor female, for you are all one in Christ

Jesus. He says, do not care about or be concerned

about it, but then use freedom if you can. And

then again emphasizes, let each remain with God

in that state in which he was called. And this

is the final restatement in verse 24. The command

is personal and communal. Brethren, I speak to

you, brethren. But here he gives the key qualifier,

and that is with God. Let each one remain with

God. If we're going to learn to be content. And

to quiet that restlessness within us, we must

be with God. Where we have committed our way

to Him, and we will trust Him that He will help

us to either accept the circumstances or to bring

about something else in His own good time. But

this is hard. I know. You're in a difficult circumstance.

And maybe sometimes what can even make it harder

is you're in this circumstance because of your

own sin. And so now you're having to deal with

the consequences of that sin. And you know, God's

providence still is at work in you despite that

sin. So what's so amazing about God's providence

is that he's still watching over you and he's

guiding your life even though you're experiencing

the results of your sin. God does this. in an

amazing and marvelous way. We must remain with

God. Remaining is not some stoic endurance, but

it's remaining in fellowship with God in the

place that he has assigned, because external

change is secondary, but abiding communion with

God in the present calling is primary. Now this

is very important to note. The three verses here

that emphasize this command do not mean, Just

a passive resignation. Oh, well, what can be?

I just have to accept it. What will be, will

be, or que sera, sera. No, it's not that. The

verses emphasizing this command do not mean mere

passive resignation, but rather an active, faithful

walking with God in the place that he has set

for you, accepting his will in the matter. It's

an active and a faithful walking with God, an

active trust, walking with the Lord in obedience

to his word. Let's consider just a few applications

here as I bring this to a close. Where is your

calling and how do you fulfill it? In almost

every case, it's right here where you are right

now. It's what's right before you. It's where

God has assigned to you. Now, sometimes God will

lead you in a different direction. It might be

now or it also might be several years down the

road. And that's okay. You don't need to figure

it out right now. God uses the journey to shape

you in ways that you can't even imagine. So then

we must ask, what does ordinary faithfulness

look like in your life right now? What does it

look like? Through ordinary, or even one might

say boring, faithfulness that establishes deep

roots. It's a multi -generational vision. Something

that is long -lasting. faithfulness to God's

calling for you. It might seem so commonplace

to regularly work at your job or to care for

your household, to show up on time at church

week after week after week, to minister to those

whom God has placed around you. And all of that

can seem kind of humdrum sometimes if you compare

that with some exciting new venture or you read

a story about this work that this... person did

is renowned person and how God worked in an incredible

way. And you think, what am I missing? No, the

majority of life is doing the ordinary duties

before God and loving one another and putting

down deep roots and being faithful in every area

that God has called you to. Ordinary faithfulness

that establishes deep roots. So in light of that,

here's my counsel. Before you act on your desire

to change your circumstances, be much in prayer

about it. Don't be reactionary, but rather proactive.

What is God teaching me through this difficulty,

or this affliction, or even this unpleasantness?

Am I seeking a change of circumstance because

I believe that it's the right thing for me to

do before God? Or is it because... I just want

to get out of this circumstance because I don't

like it and it's uncomfortable. My learning to

serve Christ faithfully right where he has placed

me. Before you make big decisions, seek wise

counsel and take your time before making a major

move. Husbands, seek the counsel of your wife

and whenever possible, be in agreement together

before making a major decision. especially one

that will affect your family. Remember 1 Peter

1 Peter 3:7

3 verse 7. Husbands, likewise, dwell with your

wives with understanding, giving honor to the

wife as to the weaker vessel and as being heirs

together of the grace of life that your prayers

may not be hindered. Remember the old adage,

the grass is greener on the other side of the

fence. And that simply means that something can

look so advantageous. Especially because it would

get me out of this uncomfortable situation that

I'm in right now. But so often we are enamored

with it and we fail to see the downsides or the

other things that will happen. This principle

is not a ban on all change. Paul here allows

freedom to the slave if available. Later he permits

remarriage for widows. But it's a guard against

the notion that a change in one's marital or

social or religious status is necessary for greater

holiness and usefulness. God has you right here,

right now. Trust in Him. Look to Him. And be

satisfied and chase away the restlessness with

contentment that God has you right where He wants

you right now. And if the Lord opens up other

doors in the future, then you will look back

and rejoice at what you have learned during this

time. So let's pray. Our Father, we thank you.