1 Corinthians 1
June 15, 2022
“He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (v8-9)
The church at Corinth was a hot mess. In no other New Testament church was the issue of divisiveness so problematic as in Corinth. Add to that their sexual immorality, idolatry and a whole bunch of other sinful stuff – and it would be understandable if Paul had chalked these back-sliding Corinthians up as a lost cause. But they aren’t a lost cause to Paul – because Paul knows that God is faithful to finish what He starts. That’s why Paul begins this letter by proclaiming to them the truth of their identity – that in Jesus – they are (now and forever) “blameless” (v8). Paul is absolutely certain that these Corinthian Christians (who are guilty of sexual immorality, church-splitting divisiveness, spiritual arrogance and drunken worship services), will be declared ‘blameless’ on that final day. And his basis for that evaluation is not their moral performance. No, Paul’s basis for that evaluation is the absolute faithfulness of God.
Father, I thank You that You are faithful to finish what You start. You promise that when we get on the train of salvation, You’ll get us all the way to the station of glorification! Thank You for being faithful to Yourself, even when we are faithless to You. Even today, when I fail or fall short in some way, may I be quick to repent and rejoice. May I be quick to repent, not presuming on Your grace or taking it for granted. But may I also be quick to rejoice, knowing that, “when I am faithless, You remain faithful” (2 Tim 2:13).
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
