called and blessed

Good morning friends,
Today's reading is Paul's greeting to the church in Corinth. Notice, though, that he greets them along with everyone who calls on the name of Jesus. When we talk about the church, often we think about a local congregation, usually Laurelton. That's not wrong because most ministry happens around the congregation. The ministry of the congregation itself is one important part of that, but so are the different ministries each of us is involved in outside the church. At the same time, there is only one church around the world. All Christians are one in the Lord, so even though Paul is addressing the unique situation of the church at Corinth, his teaching is relevant to all of us.

The other thing I want to highlight is that, as Paul mentions, we are all called to be saints. Each of us is called to have a relationship with God through Jesus, and each of us is called to live holy lives proclaiming God's love. In that calling, even though we are far from perfect, God will strengthen us to be blameless when Christ returns. God's love in Christ frees us from our sins and keeps us holy in love. God is faithful, so we can live out our calling as God's people today.

God bless,
Sam

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

2To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.