Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (TNIV)
4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Reflection: As you read a few chapters of this letter to the Corinthian believers, it’s not hard to tell that Paul is writing to firmly address many issues within the Corinthian church. But Paul begins this letter with thanksgiving for the foundation God has given them and to us – life in Christ. They have received God’s grace, been enriched in every way, and they lack no spiritual gift. Paul speaks of the life in Christ that nothing can violate, not even the many issues that we have in our lives. Paul had much hope for the church, because he knew that it was God’s faithfulness alone that would keep us firm in Christ Jesus. So let’s not get discouraged by our issues, but instead let’s turn to the Lord who will lift us up.
Response: Let’s spend some time giving thanks to God for His grace that is poured out in our lives. Let’s declare that not even the issues of our lives can prevent us from being who we are in Christ. How wonderful is this truth reality that we live in.
