Opening Prayer
God, give us the living hope of humble hearts. Amen.
Text: First Corinthians 1:4-8
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Devotion
Although Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians with a sad heart, because there were so many sins in the congregation, he still begins thus: “I thank my God always for you.” – So then we also will always thank our God for His grace in Christ. The church’s many weaknesses must never interrupt our thanksgiving for a single moment. It is the sourest fruit of your unbelief and pride that you do not always give thanks. Always, when I turn my eyes to see Jesus on the cross I see into God’s heart, full of grace toward us. At no time do we lack any of the heavenly teachings, but God’s Word dwells richly among us. By the enlightenment of His Spirit all Scripture also is opened up for me; I walk nowhere in the darkness, Christ always shines in the Old and New Testaments. If I don’t clearly understand all the details, and if I feel that the whole thing is infinitely deeper than I can see, then still I have “all knowledge,” the key to the whole thing and the necessary light for my whole life. Others in our church have greater understanding, and it is ours in common.
Christ’s testimony is not merely on our lips. The Holy Spirit has written it in our heart, and He does not write it faintly, but He burns the truth into the soul with fire. Where, then, do we come short? You say: “How sad is the condition of the church!” That’s true, and you are right to lament over it if it is love that burns in you over the offenses, if you weep with Paul in the mercy of Christ. But then also with Paul in fellowship with the same Lord you surely should rejoice over God’s great mercy toward us and look forward to the Lord’s revelation with longing and joy. The pure eye takes note of what is pure and rejoices in every deed that shines forth, but it finds that the tares and wheat grow together until harvest (Mat 13:24-30). You are weighed down by sin in yourself and in the church. You shall be released. You shall become perfectly holy, and the Church shall be glorified into a spotless bride at the Lord’s side. This hope lived in the Corinthian congregation, despite all its weaknesses; it lives in us also. The children of the world hold on to earthly things; the children of God hold on to heavenly things. There is indeed a Church of God among us that waits and watches for Christ’s return, and you can be sure that He is coming, as sure as if you already saw Him, but you can be just as certain that “He will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless 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” (1Co 1:8-9). Isn’t this both strengthening and humbling? Shouldn’t you always from now on give thanks and praise? Repent, all the ends of the world, and be saved; but you believers, repent also. I speak with emphasis: Repent, you believers, and become like little children, for of such is the kingdom of God.
Closing Prayer
God, grant us the meek and thankful spirit of faith, and confirm us in the truth unto the end, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Hymn
As long as I’m remaining
Within this world of sin,
From You I would be gaining
The vict’ry o’er my sin!
You grant it by Your Passion
And by Your Spirit, kind
Who grants me true compassion,
Renews my heart and mind.
O Morning Star from heaven,
Balm for my spirit’s good,
To You our thanks be given,
O blessed Son of God!
Make pure my soul and spirit,
When I to judgment come,
To shine by Jesus’ merit
As brightly as the sun.
Thomissøn: Jeg vil mig Herren love L 265:8-9 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Jeg vil mig Herren love (ELH 178); alternate hymn: Abide in grace, Lord Jesus ELH 579:5-6