“I give you a new commandment,
that you love one another
just as I have loved you.”
—John 13.34
God’s love covers a multitude of mankind’s sin.
Ephesians 3:2-7 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
The Gospel of Grace revealed to the Apostle Paul is the ultimate gift to those who would choose to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. The 12 Apostles were given to the Jews who embraced Jesus as their King and Lord. When the nation of israel rejected Him the gospel of grace was given to the Gentiles. When Israel accepts Jesus then the Kingdom will be restored to God’s chosen people.
Matthew 10:5-7 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
The 12 apostles were sent to the lost sheep of Israel. Saul of Tarsus was soon to become through his meeting with Jesus, Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.
Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Acts 9:1516 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
If it were not for the Resurrection there would be no power to accomplish salvation. Through the power of Holy Spirit Jesus was raised from the dead. He was the first among us in His flesh and many would follow by the same power of Holy Spirit.
Paul would learn how much he would suffer for this message of faith plus nothing for salvation. A whole new gospel was revealed to him which had been hidden by God for just such a time in His story as this. He was given new directions for those who would be called by faith. It is the power of God, salvation in Jesus, His gift to mankind to all who believe. When Christ died He died for you! Carla
Statements of thanksgiving are a common feature in ancient letters. Paul thanks God for the Corinthian believers despite their immorality. He is thankful that they’ve come to Christ and are at least staying engaged with the Christian community; this provides the opportunity for God to work in them and through them.
The grace of God refers either to the undeserved gifts the believers have received from God—speech, knowledge, and spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 1:5–7; 12–14; 2 Corinthians 8:7)—or to their receiving salvation. In Christ Jesus emphasizes that spiritual gifts and salvation do not come from people but from Christ. This also shows that the believers belong to Christ now that they’ve entered into a relationship with Him.
In Paul’s worldview, the believers have been rescued from the reign of Satan (evil) and placed under the reign of Christ (God’s proper and intended order of creation).
Since there was a very large wealth gap in Corinth, Paul emphasizes that riches are found in a life of following Christ; Christ’s gifts are what matter. People are poor prior to coming to Christ in the sense that they are removed from the life that God wants them to have in relationship with Him. To Paul, the only life worth living is one for Christ —even at the cost of all things, including wealth and physical well-being. Paul is modeling a life that doesn’t revolve around economy but on a relationship with God and others. His life is focused on love as God is focused on love (13:1–3).
The Greek word used here, logos, for speech refers to that which is spoken (in this instance). The Corinthians highly esteemed both speech and knowledge because of their cultural value. The Greek word used here, gnōsis, may refer to an understanding of Christian teaching (1 Corinthians 12:8; 13:8), but based on Paul’s subsequent reference to the testimony of Christ among believers in verse 6, it likely refers to remembrance of how Christ has worked in people’s lives.
Paul emphasizes that all spiritual gifts come from Christ, and thus one person’s gift doesn’t make that person any more important than others (verses 6–15; 12). Instead, the emphasis should be on Christ.
Paul is referring to the work that he told the Corinthians that Christ would do in them; it’s now happening and is providing a witness for Christ in the world. Christ has sent the Holy Spirit to them to transform them. Faithlife Study Bible
The thanksgiving Paul offers to God for the Corinthians seems odd, considering the many problems the church was experiencing. However, Paul focuses his praise not on the troubled Corinthians but on the eternally faithful God. Paul does not praise the Corinthians for their good works as he does some other churches (Ephesians 1:15); instead, he praises God who works in them. When we focus on people’s faults, hope soon wanes and discouragement follows. But when we concentrate on the Lord, even the darkest hours can be filled with praise. Enriched means that the Corinthians had been spiritually destitute but had become abundantly prosperous through God’s grace. Despite the Corinthians’ boasting, their many gifts had come from God (12:11, 18, 28). The Corinthians were richly blessed with spiritual gifts because God was giving them everything they needed to do His will (12:14–27).
Because God is faithful to His word, Paul was confident that even the sin-plagued Corinthians would stand blameless before Him. This blamelessness does not refer to the Corinthians’ works, but to their standing in Christ, their justification (3:14, 15).
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
Deuteronomy 7:9 “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;
Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
In the trials and difficulties of our lives, our Father always invites us to run to His loving arms. He stands ready to bind up our broken hearts, heal our wounded souls, and restore our relationship with Him. In truth, there is no other God but Him: the One who is always working in our lives, merciful and loving beyond what we can comprehend (1 Chronicles 17:20; Psalm 33:4; Lamentations 3:22). Just as He has been sufficient for every need of His people throughout history, He is sufficient for our every need today. First5
Here’s the good news: Grace and mercy spill to the world around us. Even when we are not at “our best”. Even when we fall short.
When Jesus said, “Let your light shine,” it was not an assignment or project. “Let”—as in allow—meaning the light already there, so get out of the way and let it spill.
And blessed are you for spilling your light in a world that is wounded and distressed, a world in need of grace and mercy and healing.
Let your light shine…
“Honor the dignity of every human being
Speak the truth to one another in love
Walk humbly with each other and our God”
Thank you, Bishop Marianne Budde.
And thank you to the light shiners in our world today…
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Sabbath Moments
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