1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, Verse 2To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Verse 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, Verse 5for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind- Verse 6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you- Verse 7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Devotion
“Come, See, Stay”
The Epiphany season continues to highlight the good news that God sent the Son to reveal God’s salvation for all nations. In today’s reading, the Apostle Paul adds his testimony to Jesus in the introduction to his letter to the saints in Corinth.
Our questions today may match those of those Corinthians. Is our God too small? Is our idea of church too local? Are other congregations and denominations our competition, or brothers and sisters in Christ? Is God limited to the church? To Christianity?
Paul makes this promise: “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the partnership of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (v. 9). We are Jesus’ partners, chosen in baptism to share in his saving work and made members with him in the kingdom of God. You are somebody. You belong. Your destiny is good. Jesus chose you. Like gym class, he wants you on his team. It is a personal revelation, an epiphany for this season.
Prayer
Jesus, when we feel lost, alone, and unloved, remind us of our baptism and partnership with you. Thank you for grace and gifts, and for the promise of strength to the end. Amen.
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