Good morning! As kids, my brother and I would put our money together to purchase items from the store. It was a good plan because I was a bit selfish and wouldn’t share many things (especially if someone already touched it or drank out of it). However, I also knew that we couldn’t get the best candy or chips or a variety of things on our own. We had to work together to achieve our goal. We knew in our partnership that if we put it together that we would have a greater return, that we wouldn’t lack what we wanted. Today, in 1 Corinthians Paul is addressing our partnership in Christ. Join me as we continue to read chapter one.

“⁴ I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. ⁵ Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. ⁶ This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. ⁷ Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸ He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. ⁹ God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 NLT

In this letter Paul is reminding the Corinthian church of the gifts that God has given them. He is reaffirming that the members within the church belong to Christ Jesus. That only through Christ, God has enriched the church by giving them spiritual gifts, and that it was nothing that the church could do on their own. The gift of knowledge, speaking, and wisdom allowed their church to flourish.

Yet, he also reminds them that because of Christ Jesus and the spiritual gifts they had been, they lack nothing and the Lord will keep them strong until He returns.

Sisters and brothers,

• If we have accepted Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have also been given gifts from God. He has given us wisdom, knowledge, and that wisdom allows us to strengthen our churches, families and communities in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord.
• If we belong to Christ we should believe His words are true. That we have every spiritual gift that we need to flourish in faith while we wait on the Lord to return. We must trust God will keep us strong.

The greatest takeaway for me was:

“God will do this.” The statement alone is firm and unmovable. There is no room for doubt. However, Paul tells us why, “for he is faithful to do what he says”. Sisters and brothers, we have been invited into this partnership with Christ. Christ paid the price for all of us, it didn’t cost us a thing, we only need to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior and all these things (e.g., spiritual gifts, etc.) are freely given to us. Yet, given to us to grow the church, the kingdom of God and not keep them to ourselves or misuse them for our own benefit.

Trust God to do what he says he will do.

Father God, thank you for the gifts you have given us through Christ Jesus. Thank you for saving us from our sins. Lord, help us to use the gifts you have given us to strengthen the church, our families, communities and the world. Lord, may we remain humble in our walk and bold in your word. Lord, we submit our authority and will to you. Lord, we want to operate in the authority that you give to us. Lord, there is victory over all things because of you. So Lord, we trust that you will do what you said you will do in us, in our lives, homes and in the church. Lord, strengthen our faith and keep us focused on you until the day you return. In Jesus name, amen.

Keep praying! Keep trusting! Keep pursuing the Lord!

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