Thursday, May 12, 2011

Live as you are called (1 Corinthians 7:14)

Interpreters from Luther to Calvin to modern day commentators treat this differently. I'm not sure how to treat this. I need to think about this in relation to work or vocation.
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. 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. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

(1 Corinthians 7:17-24 ESV)

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Job's Simile

To explain the futility of life, Job uses the simile of life is like the days of a hired hand:

[7:1] “Has not man a hard service on earth,
and are not his days like the days of a hired hand?
[2] Like a slave who longs for the shadow,
and like a hired hand who looks for his wages,
[3] so I am allotted months of emptiness,
and nights of misery are apportioned to me.
(Job 7:1-3 ESV)