1 Corinthians 1:1-9
All Because of Grace

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus; that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ; who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

World English Bible

Paul wrote a magnificent encouragement to the church at Corinth that we believers today can justifiably claim for ourselves. Because of the grace of God given to us through Christ Jesus, we are enriched and confirmed as a part of God's family eternally. Paul marveled at the fulfillment in knowledge, wisdom, blessing, and holiness that were a part of these Corinthian believers, all because God chose to give it to them. We too are amazing and wonderful children of God, all because of that same grace.

It is more surprising that Paul penned such positive comments about the church of Corinth in these verses when we consider the painful rebukes and arguments that Paul wrote in the remainder of the books of 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. These people had divided that church into separate cliques based on status, on heritage, and even on their favorite evangelist. They openly fought against Paul's teachings and attacked him personally to the point where Paul had canceled plans to visit them because he felt his presence would do more harm than good.

Still, we can be certain Paul would adamantly defend his praise of the Corinthian church in the opening of this letter because of grace. God's grace transforms a sinner into a saint, replaces arrogant ignorance with humble wisdom, and changes a heart from rebellion to adoration. This came about in the believers of Corinth because God is always faithful.

God's grace and faithfulness are always available to us. When life seems to be an overwhelming flood, God is with us to give us the strength and endurance to hold on. When life confronts us with difficult choices, God is with us to give us the wisdom and patience to make the best decisions at the right time. When we have disappointed ourselves, God is with us to correct us and set us right again. God's free gifts of grace are innumerable, and God's presence is the only reliable constant in our lives. We will never lack what we need, and we will never be alone.

Our responsibility is to accept these gifts of grace from God. This requires us to keep believing so that we can recognize God's movement in our lives. This also requires us to accept in faith that God's way is the best way for us. We simply need to be open to God's grace working in our lives, and God promises to care of all the rest.