1 Corinthians 1:4-9

 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— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 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.

I love how Paul always affirms the people he is writing about or the church he is writing too first and foremost.

Paul is thanking God for the entire church of Corinth because there is evidence they get it, through speech and the exhibit of knowledge that they understood the Glory which comes from knowing Christ Jesus.

And then the promise, a promise that He will keep us firm to the end so what we will be blameless on the day of Christ’s return. A promise of God’s faithfulness and reaffirming their (our) calling into fellowship with Jesus personally, both individually and as a whole in the body of Christ.

Those who can claim a rooted establishment in Christ, which is not to say perfect adherence to God’s commandments, but moreover a passion for Christ, can take great joy in this promise that we will not be forsaken, forgotten, or tossed aside like so many of us might have experienced in our family of origin.

A reflection point for me this morning is to ask, is Jesus becoming more real to me, taking on more human and God attributes each day as I yearn to learn more of Him through God’s word and then live that out?

Are we seeking to see more of Him through Christ-centered relationships?

It could be at church worship services or church sponsored life groups, or in Christ-centered recovery halls like Celebrate Recovery, or going even deeper through long-term recovery groups for specific battles like Pure Desire Ministries, or through like-minded people striving to learn and adhere to biblical truths taught by solid theological mentors in a bible-study or accountability meetings, prayer circles, and the list could go on.

As we grow in Christ and become more rooted in the faith, are we taking that out to others and sharing the Good News of what God has done, is doing, and the promises of what is to come for all who call Him Lord and Savior with those still struggling in the trenches?

God doesn’t promise easy, in fact many times He warns us of the hardship that befalls those who proudly and loudly proclaim that Jesus is Lord; especially in the culture we live in today. And sadly I only see that getting worse until the day of Christ when every knee will bow.

We as believers in Christ, being set free from our old addictions and selfish behaviors and learning of God’s unconditional love and mercy are on that grace-filled journey of redemption so we can then take His message of compassion, purpose and power to others, that there is an incredible hope for the future when that future is not reliant upon earthly things, but firmly rooted in spiritual things.

To be considered blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus (vs 9) is a wonderful promise. And to receive that promise we simply need to chase after the Christ personally, in our thoughts, through our prayers, in our studies, the way we treat others, the ways in which we spend our time, treasure and talents.

The battle to move from selfishness to selflessness is not an easy one, and people who have not yet come into that relationship with Christ might not understand, but it is a life filled with great hope and promise. which bears tangible fruits along the way.

Father God Your promise that once we come to know You and follow You that you will keep us until the return of Your Son is a promise of great comfort. I struggle with this journey of sanctification, of redemption, to become all that You predestined before time. I know that what I experienced as a child and what I have inflicted as an adult was not in Your design, but that IF I will continue to follow and praise you that You can and will redeem those years. Give me the heart, the courage, the boldness, the desires to partner with you in that process, to seek Your direction, rely on Your strength, and follow Your lead, then praise Your works at the end of the day. I thank You for this new day that will surely have divine opportunities to touch another’s life, if even in a small way, to say that there is great hope, love and peace that comes from being a recipient of grace and a servant of the most high God. I pray these things for myself and all who have ears to hear and eyes to see that one day Your glory will reign completely and forever. In Jesus’ name I pray…