IN 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, Paul explains a foundational principle of Christian life in Christ--remain as you are. He gives that command three different times within a passage of eight verses, emphasizing its importance. The idea behind this command was not that one should keep sinning and living in a sinful lifestyle after being saved, but that salvation is not a mandate to motivate us to change all the circumstances of our lives. Paul says that the very circumstances we are in at the present are what God has called us to--it is God's will that we be in the exact circumstances we are in. The point is that we are to "bloom where we are planted," not waiting for a change in circumstances to start serving God, but obeying and serving where we are now. Paul then uses 2 examples to illustrate his point: circumcision (ethnic identity) and slavery (social position and status). Neither of these was hypothetical to Corinthian believers, so the point would have been clearly understood.