1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (Title by Chuck Swindoll)
1. Bloom where the Lord has planted you.
17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 7:17 (ESV)
2. Your lot in life has nothing to do with your salvation
18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
1 Corinthians 7:18 (ESV)
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
3. You can honor God no matter where you are.
19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 1 Corinthians 7:19 (ESV)
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Galatians 6:15 (ESV)
4. Do not fret if your circumstances inhibit your ability to serve God in the manner you want.
20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it . . . 1 Corinthians 7:20-21 (ESV)
5. If you have an opportunity, better your circumstances
21 . . . (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 1 Corinthians 7:21 (ESV)
6. We gain our identity not from our place in the world but in our relationship with Christ.
22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 1 Corinthians 7:22 (ESV)
7. Our Loyalties lie wholly with the one who purchased us, Christ.
23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 1 Corinthians 7:23 (ESV)
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV)
8. With God, we can persevere through any circumstance in which He has providentially placed us.
24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
1 Corinthians 7:24 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (ESV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)
1 O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 131:1-3 (ESV)