1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
Because Paul was not one of the original disciples, his apostleship was a direct calling from God. Read the story of Paul's conversions and calling in Acts 9. If you are a Christian you too are called of God. Romans 1:7, Romans 8:28
2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
This letter was not just written to Corinth. It was written to "those sanctified in Christ Jesus" and "all those everywhere who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ". This letter was written to me. It was written to you.
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I've written many times of God's grace and peace. Here is Paul wishing them on us. I could end this blog right here and just spend the day focused on God's grace and enjoying His peace.
4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
Corinth was so vile that when some acted in a immoral or perverse manner the people at the time said they were acting like a Corinthian. They were a dirty joke by the surrounding nations. Therefore being a Christian here was not easy. God was confirming that the people took the message of Christ and applied it. They were different than the world around them and started to show their spiritual gifts.
8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yesterday we saw in 1Thessalonians 5:23-24 that God is the one sanctifying us and is faithful to do it. Today, in these verses, we see that God will keep us firm. I've spent so many years running around trying to be "good" and yet it is God who is doing the sanctifying and God who is holding me firm.
Jesus is the Reason for the Season.
God Bless.
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