Today’s Scripture: I Corinthians 1:1-9
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes.
2 I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
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.
Today’s Devotional
Do you remember when your Mom or Dad invited you to participate in something they were doing for the first time? Maybe it was allowing you to help cook dinner or carve the Thanksgiving turkey or be in charge of grilling the hamburgers. Maybe you remember a teacher or mentor asking you to participate with them in a project or give you responsibility for something new. I still remember the first time I was asked to help lead a Bible study in High School.
In this introduction to his letter to the Corinthians, Paul is reminding his readers that God has given them everything they need to live the Christian life. The Corinthians are ready for whatever comes their way because God has given them the spiritual gifts they need.
But notice at the end of this passage that God has not given these gifts to the Corinthians so that they can just sit around and be secure. God has invited them (and us!) into partnership with Jesus Christ.
Think about that! We are invited to partner with Jesus in his work in the world. As God’s own children we have the opportunity (responsibility?) to join with Jesus in what he’s doing here and now. We are not supposed to be just sitting around waiting for heaven. Instead, we are to be the presence of Christ.
What activity is Jesus calling you to? How can you be the presence of Christ today? In what ways are you going to partner with Jesus in the next 24 hours? We’ve been invited. Will we accept?
Today’s Prayer
God we sometimes get to thinking that our relationship with you is all about us. We start believing that following Jesus is just about what happens when we die instead of what happens here and now. Forgive us God. Show us how we can participate with Jesus – how we can partner with Jesus. Show us where you need us to show up with the love and care of Jesus. And give us the strength and courage to act.
Amen
Leave a Reply