1 Corinthians 1:1-17 ~ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

St. Paul painted by Doménikos Theotokópoulos. Doménikos always signed his whole name, but known by his nickname The Greek or El Greco - characterized by modern scholars as an artist so individual he belongs to no conventional school. Painted in 1604, found today in the City Art Museum, St Louis. Paul holds a letter. Is he carrying a sword or a knife, you decide

1 Corinthians 1:1-7 Bible in Basic English

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the purpose of God, and Sosthenes the brother,

To the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been made holy in Christ Jesus, saints by the selection of God, with all those who in every place give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

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

I give praise to my God for you at all times, because of the grace of God which has been given to you in Christ Jesus; So that in him you have wealth in all things, in word and in knowledge of every sort; even as the witness of the Christ has been made certain among you: So that having every grace you are living in the hope of the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ


My father once said something to me I think of occasionally and, more recently, the Christian book club in our Church read a book about possibilities ~


John 21
21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers [and sisters] that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.



What if God wanted the apostle John to live until Jesus returned, what would it be like - to be able, in this life, to meet an actual apostle of Jesus Christ?

What would Paul say to us today? What would it be like to receive a letter in the mail from Paul? This letter begins to tell us what Paul would say to you, a child of God, adopted by Jesus.

Paul would let you know, right away, where he stands ~ Paul works for Jesus Christ’s purpose. He’d write to you, to tell you, God has called you to be a saint. Only because God has personally chosen you. But you aren’t called to be a lonely saint; just as Paul has Sosthenes, his friend, (who is as close to him as a brother) you will have others who join you to give honor to Jesus Christ.

Paul says you have: love, you’ve received forgiveness and peace, then you can give forgiveness. Not from Paul, but given from Father God and Jesus.

Next, Paul says you are a new beginner in Jesus, so take things...carefully.

Nope, this isn’t said at all. No. There is not a level of babyhood to relax in. Paul says you are God’s, Paul is grateful for you. Paul says you live in the hope of Jesus’ gift of eternal life and eternal forgiveness, living faith, hope and love, living God’s purpose for you – you have all the spiritual gifts you need. God gives us what we need to accomplish His purposes.

Paul tells you, you are a workman approved by God, you are God’s own child. When you don’t do something correctly, because you are human and need a Savior, God’s grace is coming to you.

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.


2 Timothy 2:10-14
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.

Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

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