1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (NRSV)
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Chapter 1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, Verse 2To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Verse 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, Verse 5for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind- Verse 6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you- Verse 7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Devotion
Later in this first letter to the Corinthians Paul made it clear that there were serious problems among the Christians in Corinth – arrogance, divisiveness, immorality and more. It was probably a congregation much like your own, saved by grace yet prone to sin.
In beginning this letter, however, Paul focused not on the problems, but on God. Though he gave thanks for the Corinthians, the reasons he enumerated for his gratitude were not Corinthian attributes, but God’s working.
How shall we address arrogance, divisiveness or immorality in ourselves and other Christians? We can face the problems as Paul did – by remembering that God is at work in every Christian, all the time.
Today, when you are frustrated with yourself or with some fellow believer, remember that “the grace of God…has been given.” “God is faithful, by whom you were called …” That is the foundation upon which Christians face problems.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, help us to look at ourselves and at those around us through the lens of your cross, where God was powerfully at work, though it appeared evil to all. Amen.