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1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To 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: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:1-9 NRSV)
As we were driving home from a birthday party, I asked our daughter which church that I had served had been her favorite, maybe not a fair question, but opened a good discussion between her, her mom, and me. Each church has been different; some super good, some not so good. And no, I didn't expect a perfect church to be out there; especially when 9 out of 10 ministers if asked, would argue with some who have said, "Ministry would be good if it weren't for the people!" And one minister left the ministry to become an undertaker and has reported that no one he works on has talked bad about him or started angry discussions with him! I started this devotional because Paul never said he had a favorite church but did have more than his share of woes in each. The one in Corinth caused him to write two letters! He lovingly begins this first letter with a reminder that they are called to be saints, meaning holy people in an unholy world; God people among godless people. And this was especially true as they called on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus was Lord of them and Paul. Paul gives thanks for them because they were people of grace as shared with them by God; and this grace had made them richer because as they spoke and grew in learning, they gained spiritual gifts which they were using until the second arrival of Jesus Christ. Jesus, meanwhile, was busy at work in them to make them all blameless on that day He returns. By God's faithfulness they were called into fellowship with Jesus and with each other.
Paul was the original vlogger without video (by the way a vlogger is term for a video blogger. And a blogger, well, google it! LOL). Paul started or helped churches and rated them. Okay, I'm stretching it a bit. But here is the reality of what is being shared in this passage: Paul reminds them and us, that to be a Christian means we have responded to a call. God called us out of sin into a fellowship and a ministry in which we are deployed to reach others and influence them with the holiness that God has shared with us. None of us were self-appointed to be a Christian. Some may have tried, but they are no longer among us. This calling involves us to be saints; not "holier than thou" snobs, but humble, imperfect people hot in pursuit of perfection in this life because we are following Christ Jesus. Our life is not perfect, we have trials and challenges, but we're not alone. We have Jesus walking with us, holding us and guiding us; but we are aware and we are committed to the work that lies ahead. There sits in a church near here, that when I was the district superintendent, took seriously what I said about fellowship halls versus mission halls. Fellowship is important and useful for churches, but it sometimes causes us to lose focus on our mission as believers; so they went and named their new facility their Mission Hall. They hold true to that and as a result that church is growing. Yes, they have a tremendous pastor who has that vision and excitement about what we are called to and is reaping the harvest of same.
Paul also encourages their being enriched by God's grace. He gives thanks to God for His grace through Jesus which has enriched them in every way; in their speech, how they interact with each other; their knowledge, how their dedication to God's word through worship, study and prayer they are growing in knowing God and as a result they share God. This has provided a union with Jesus, Who provides enrichment by that grace,, and gives them strength. A connected church is a growing church and a working church; reaching as many as they can for the glory of God.
Paul knows that this church is equipped while waiting. They lack no spiritual gift while they wait for Christ's revealing second coming, their goal is to reach and win the world while allowing God's Holy Spirit to equip them to be blameless. This is righteousness in action; trying to be Christ-like in all our interactions; thought, word, and deed - all pointing up to Him. All programs, classes, outreach efforts are geared to sharing Jesus and reaching the world.
Finally, Paul shares how God's faithfulness is a strong foundation for the church. God is always faithful and not dependent on our consistency; it's a gift (grace) as a result of God's love for us and not what we have done to deserve it. God has called us into fellowship with Him and His; a relationship is what we are to enjoy not rules or beliefs with Jesus truly as our Lord and through that relationship God will complete what He started. This is truly Epiphany, Christ revealed through our lives. The light that dawned at His birth, that shone at His baptism, that was manifested through His miracles—that light continues to shine, revealing Jesus and drawing people into relationship with Him. And because God is faithful, He will complete what He's started, enriching us with every gift, strengthening us to the end, and presenting us blameless when Christ is finally and fully revealed.
Have shared all this; is your church faithfulo? Are you found to be faithful?
PRAYER: Faithful God, thank You for calling us into fellowship with Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, for enriching us with every spiritual gift, and for Your promise to strengthen us to the end so we may be blameless when Christ is revealed in glory; help us live as those who have encountered Your grace, waiting expectantly for Jesus' return while using the gifts You've given us to build up His body, in His name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Identify one spiritual gift God has given you (whether teaching, encouragement, service, generosity, hospitality, etc.) and intentionally use it this week to build up Christ's body, remembering that you've been enriched in Him for the blessing of others.
I love you and I thank God for you. You matter to God and you matter to me. Continue to be the Light of Jesus in someone's darkness.
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
