Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1–3 ESV

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

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:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul opens his letter by affirming his calling among the church at Corinth. He was called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. But then he reminds the church of their own calling and position in Christ.

They were sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints.

That matters because the church in Corinth had real problems. There were cultural pressures, division, confusion, sin, and issues that needed to be addressed. Yet Paul still reminds them of who they are in Christ. Regardless of the culture around them or the issues rising up within the church, they were still called to be saints.

A saint is someone who calls upon the name of the Lord. Someone who belongs to Jesus. Someone who has been set apart by God. Paul then offers them a blessing of grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Remembering Who We Are in Christ

How often do we forget that we are saints?

The moment we believe in Jesus, we receive everything we need to walk with God. We receive the same Spirit that worked in the lives of those faithful men and women we read about in the Bible.

I know I can get stuck in the comparison trap. I read about someone’s great faith in Scripture and feel like I do not measure up. But the truth is, I have the same Spirit living in me.

That does not mean I am seeking fame. The people remembered in the Bible were remembered because God chose to remember them. They were not perfect people. They were people who lived real lives filled with ups and downs, victories and failures, faith and fear.

Some lived under governmental oppression. Some faced deep loss. Some made terrible mistakes. Some had to trust God when nothing made sense.

But all of them had a choice.

Do I follow and obey a risen Savior?

Do I trust God with my life and my day?

Am I going to allow God to redeem this situation?

Or will I continue to try to control and manipulate life for my own gain?

Am I always looking out for number one?

And who is number one?

If I am honest, it changes. Sometimes it is me. Other times, it is God.

A Prayer for Confidence as a Saint

Papa, I want to walk in the confidence of being a saint.

I want to leave a legacy of godliness in the wake of my life. I want to be more than just a good guy people can count on. I want to look back and reflect on life and say, “Wow, look what God was able to do through me.”

Not because I deserve it, but because I did not deserve it and You did it anyway.

I want You to work through me because I am completely sold out. I want to be 100 percent trusting, without fear, selfless, and willing to advance Your kingdom.

From the outside looking in, I believe others may see that. But from the inside looking out, I feel like I fall short.

I am my own worst critic. I know my every thought and my every action. So do You. You even know my motives, and yet I still receive blessing and opportunity.

How much of that have I squandered?

Help me make the best choices moving forward. Help me live a life that brings You honor and glory.

I love You.

Amen.