1 Corinthians 1:1-9— Called to Witness – Witnessing produces the church
Witnessing
produces the church. Paul thanks God for the grace given to the
Corinthian church. In these opening verses of Paul’s Corinthian correspondence,
he identifies himself in terms of spiritual gifts. Paul reminds them of “the church of God.” Their church is a
part of the ecumenical church “called to
be saints together with all those who in every place....” Moreover, in these opening sentences, Paul
puts his finger on the problem in the Corinthian church: spiritual gifts such
as “all speech and knowledge” which most probably meant Gnosticism and
Glossolalia. While they are waiting for the return of Christ on the last great
day, Paul assures them of God’s faithfulness in sustaining and purifying them.
Faith always believes against the evidence. And so we should think
of ourselves and of the church based on the glorious, forgiving Word of the
Gospel our Lord Jesus Christ, and not based on external evidence. The Gospel always calls us back to the cross
and the resurrection. (NOTE: these are the two central themes of Paul’s first
letter to the Corinthian congregation) The Gospel calls us to faith that God
keeps his Word and does what he says it does; that Christian life and works may
come forth naturally and faithfully from our faith in Him. What joy there is in
this knowledge. Thanks be to God for His grace and mercy in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Father, You make known the salvation
of humankind at the birth of Your Son. Make us strong in faith and bring us to
the glory You promise. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who
lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. [2]
Collect for 12 January: God
our Father, through your Son you made us a new creation. He shared our nature
and became one of us; with his help. May we become more life him, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [3]
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