1 Cor 7:17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.

Verse 19 is fascinating.  Circumcision is certainly a commandment of God. Sure Jesus explained what the greatest commandments are back in Matt 22

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

And showed us how these principles work in real life, particularly as His love for people was more important than obedience to the Sabbath.   But this particular passage is very interesting because it speaks to thing that only affect self.  Paul calls for each of us to “remain,” rather than strive to become legalistic.  He goes on to apply this to being a slave or free, which I think applies to our vocations as well.  Christ certainly said that anyone who forsakes their own family and belongings to follow him would reap great rewards, but it seems the vast majority of us are in another boat, and in the words of a late friend, ‘bloom where you are planted.’

Be motivated primarily by by Love.  God is Love.  This is walking in the Spirit.

And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” Acts 26:29.

The apostle Paul followed Jesus example, and wanted all to be saved and follow Christ to the best of their ability.  He wanted better for ALL the people that heard him, and that was why he spread the gospel so clearly and loudly.  We should all follow teachers that are clear that they want everyone to be closer to Jesus.  Pastor Duke had a great example yesterday of someone who reamed him out when he was a new believer, claiming he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  Janice gave me a similar example over the weekend of a converted town drunk that was not allowed to join a church due to no one believing him.  Yes in both cases God used these instances to grow the people who were denied access by the leaders who misused their authority.  However, this does not mean that we should follow and repeat the error of those who hoard and lord spiritual knowledge, controlling who has access to the deeper meat of the word.  True believers will praise the Lord for all who follow him, even if they grow faster or beyond their teachers.  As disciples ourselves, seek out selfless teachers who want the best for their students.  As teachers, we need to be very clear that this is our goal and desire, that we should be abundantly close and growing closer to Christ, and that we should desire all should be as we are (except for our specific suffering circumstances).