We are starting 1 Corinthians today! Paul as an author is someone who is very detailed and frequently uses wordy run-on sentences. This can make readers very confused about what he is trying to communicate, but bear with me!
1 Corinthians 1:1-3 is Paul’s greetings to the church in Corinth. The two main points that should be highlighted are that Paul is talking to those that are sanctified, and those who have been called to be saints together with everyone in other places who also call upon Jesus as Lord. In theology, the doctrine of sanctification is a process of someone becoming more holy or a transformation to become more like Jesus. Those who are sanctified are Christians who have been “set apart” as holy in the sight of God. This isn’t the same holy that describes how God is perfect in all ways, but it just points out how God sets apart His elect from the rest of the world. If we believe in God, then we are also sanctified. Second, Paul talks about how the Corinthian Christians are worshiping God together in unity with all the other Christians in the world. That is why Christians are all collectively called the capital C “Church,” or the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 is Paul’s thankfulness for the Corinthian church. Paul says that he is thankful that the Christians in Corinth have received enrichment and gifts by the grace of God. He specifically mentions gifts of speech and knowledge. He also calls the Christians to endure and wait for the revealing of Christ, who makes them guiltless on the last day. Paul believes that God is faithful and that even though the Christians are not at the point of perfection like Jesus yet, God will sustain them and make them guiltless in the day of Jesus. This goes along with sanctification; as sanctification transforms us slowly day by day, there will be a day where God brings the process to a completion and all Christians will be glorified to a state that is outlined in the doctrine of glorification.
What does this mean for us today? God calls us to be a people that is set apart for Himself. Therefore, we should act, think, and talk in ways that are separate from the world. One way to make this goal easier is by surrounding ourselves with people of God. We are all unified in worship to God anyways, so why not live on this earth together as well. When we have other disciples of Christ around us, I have found it to be easier to think about God and to listen to His word and meditate on Him. Another thing we should do is to thank God for blessings and gifts that we receive from Him. We should desire to serve God and others with these gifts as well. Instead of burying our money, we should be faithful stewards who multiply what our Creator has given us. Lastly, let us look forward to the day when we are to be guiltless in front of God. Recently, I’ve been pretty bogged down by my own sins and faults, but one day, I will be glorified as well.
Thankfulness:
• Very busy day
• Credo
• Wopo
• Stitches off
• Talking to my friend in the middle of all the craziness
• Alone time with God
• Journaling