Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:4–9 ESV

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul begins this section with thanksgiving. He is thankful for the believers within the church at Corinth. That is important because this was not a perfect church. Corinth had real issues. There was immorality, division, pride, confusion, and spiritual immaturity. Yet Paul still gives thanks for them because of the grace of God that had been given to them in Christ Jesus.

That stands out to me. Paul does not ignore their problems, but he also does not forget the grace of God at work in them. He reminds them that, as believers, they have been enriched in Christ. They have been given gifts. They are not lacking what they need as they wait for the revealing of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Even though the church had issues, God had not abandoned them. Even though they still had growing to do, they were being sustained by Christ. Paul points them back to the faithfulness of God. He reminds them that the same God who called them into fellowship with His Son would sustain them to the end.

Not Lacking in Christ

I have been given so much grace, and yet I often look at life through the lens of what I am lacking. I can focus so much on what I do not have that I forget what I have already received in Christ.

I strive to fill needs that are temporary. I chase things that cannot fully satisfy. I look for something else to make me feel secure, complete, or valuable. But Scripture reminds me that I have been given everything I need in Christ, and I am sustained by God.

So why does that sometimes not feel like enough?

We are all searching. The lost and the found. We search for something to fill the voids and gaps we feel inside of us. But as believers, we have a hope that is found in Jesus. He is the only One who can truly fill those empty places in our lives.

Still, we often think we need more than we have received. We think there must be something else out there that is required. Something more to achieve. Something more to own. Something more to prove. Something more to become.

Yes, we are called to be faithful in life. We work. We rest. We live in the in-between of Christ’s first coming and His return. We do our due diligence. We steward what has been placed in our hands. But ultimately, we are called to be satisfied in Him.

Sustained While We Wait

Paul says that Jesus will sustain us to the end. That means our strength is not ultimately found in our ability to hold everything together. Our confidence is not in our performance, our resources, our knowledge, or our control. Our confidence is in the faithfulness of God.

We are to come to Him like little children who can run to their Father without hesitation. We are to rely on Him for everything we need. Not just for salvation one day, but for strength today. For wisdom today. For patience today. For peace today.

God has given us gifts, but those gifts were never meant to stop with us. He has given gifts of words, abilities, money, time, relationships, wisdom, encouragement, and opportunity. The question is, am I only consuming these gifts, or am I giving them away?

Do I funnel grace to those who need it?

Do I encourage and lift up those who are down?

Do I display Christ everywhere I go?

Do I use what God has given me to bring attention to Him, or do I use it only to build comfort for myself?

These are the questions I have to sit with. Because if God has enriched me in Christ, then my life should reflect His generosity. If He has sustained me, then I should be willing to strengthen others. If He has poured grace into me, then I should become a vessel of grace to those around me.

A Prayer of Gratitude

Papa, You have shown and extended so much grace into my life, and I feel like I take it for granted and abuse it at times. In my humanity, I neglect and reject what is good, and sometimes I seek out what is not good and not of You.

You have wonderfully and fearfully made me. I am unique. You have given me abilities and talents that, when mixed with who I am, make something special. I am a son of value, and I have something to offer to so many people.

Thank You for letting me see it.

Thank You for revealing to me how You see us as Your children. Thank You for the pride in Your eyes when we live a life according to You. Thank You for the overwhelming joy You have in seeing Your children happy and thriving in the place where they are.

Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your gifts. Thank You for sustaining me.

Amen.