1 Corinthians 1:4-9
(Use the link below to read the verses.)
During
the first century, the Jews were steeped in the law. Grace was a foreign concept
to them. As a result, Jesus had numerous confrontations with the religious
leaders; Paul was beaten and persecuted multiple times; and the early church
struggled with the issue of requiring circumcision.
There
is something deep within the human heart that doesn’t want to forgive; doesn’t
want to show grace; but instead wants to judge and condemn.
It’s
somewhat surprising that Paul writes in his letter to the believers at Corinth
that he gives thanks for the grace shown to them; because they show so little
grace to others. The Corinthian church struggled with divisions, immorality,
discrimination against the poor and many other serious issues.
There’s
a need for introspection. The Corinthian church needed it, and we need it.
How
did you answer the questions in the first paragraph? If you are honest, you could
probably add some of your own more pointedly personal questions. But, no matter
how deeply imbedded our struggles, God’s grace and His faithfulness will win
the day.
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of
God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you
were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge… 7 so that
you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord
Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in
the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom
you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ESV
So
the choice is yours. How will you respond to God’s grace and faithfulness? Will
you
show grace, or will you show judgement to others? God gave His grace to us
so that we might share it, not keep it for ourselves.
(If
God has spoken to you through this blog, please feel free to share the link
with others.)
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