1 Cor 1:1-9 (Pt 2)

In First Corinthians the Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that they are a very blessed and gifted church, but that they are not the source of their own giftedness. God is the only source. Their gifts and their blessings are the direct result of the grace and faithfulness of the God who called them out of sin and into holiness.

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: (1 Cor 1:2).

As believers in Jesus Christ, they were “called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:2, bold emphasis mine). Note that as believers they are called with those who call upon Jesus’ name. Their faith was not about their great wisdom in choosing to call on Jesus. Their faith was not unique and special above that of others who call on Jesus.  Their faith was rooted in the call of God. God was the source of their call as he was the source of their grace and peace.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:3).

Grace is not something we earn. It is gifted to us by God and by the Lord Jesus Christ. Peace is not something we created or find. It is gifted to us by God. We too often pride ourselves in having called on Jesus to save us. We pride ourselves in being good. We pride ourselves in finding and/or creating a peaceful environment, or we are constantly in search of a peaceful environment. The truth is, all of that is me-centric. It is about me. The result is division and divisiveness. The result is pride and arrogance. It results in looking down on others and/or criticizing them for being less spiritual than we are.

Where do church divisions come from? What are the roots of a critical spirit? Why do we find it so easy to see fault in others but not in ourselves? Largely because we have forgotten this simple truth: Our gifts and blessings are the direct result of the grace and faithfulness of the God who called us out of sin and into holiness. We are no better than anyone else sitting in church, playing at the lake, or sleeping in on Sunday morning. All we are and all we have is a gift from God. When we remember that we can afford to be a less critical of others.