4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.
5 For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge--
6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.
(1 Corinthians 1:4-6)
(1 Corinthians 1:4-6)
Thoughts: Paul uses an absolute word of thanksgiving here. He ALWAYS thanks God for them.
He thanks God for them because God's grace has been poured on them. Ultimately we are always thanking God for glimpses of His grace. It is grace that we have life at all, and that our lives are sustained by Him. Each minute is a gift- a precious one. But that we know God and have eternal life- that is a great gift as well.
Paul believes they have been enriched "in every way- in all your speaking and knowledge." The Corinthians were well known for their gifts of the Spirit. They had been blessed with an outpouring of power that showed in what they said and what they knew. The charis (grace) was shown in their gifts of grace (charismata).
He thanks God that his testimony (the power of God to change people) was confirmed in them. Corinth was the center of paganism at the feet of the Temple to the goddess of pagan love, Aphrodite. It is grace that enables people to change.
So... Paul could also thank God for every believer reading this, and say he ALWAYS CAN. Grace does not go away- salvation does not disappear
No matter what you are facing this Thanksgiving week, God's grace will not leave you. Thank God for those around you who have experienced and recognize God's grace.
He thanks God for them because God's grace has been poured on them. Ultimately we are always thanking God for glimpses of His grace. It is grace that we have life at all, and that our lives are sustained by Him. Each minute is a gift- a precious one. But that we know God and have eternal life- that is a great gift as well.
Paul believes they have been enriched "in every way- in all your speaking and knowledge." The Corinthians were well known for their gifts of the Spirit. They had been blessed with an outpouring of power that showed in what they said and what they knew. The charis (grace) was shown in their gifts of grace (charismata).
He thanks God that his testimony (the power of God to change people) was confirmed in them. Corinth was the center of paganism at the feet of the Temple to the goddess of pagan love, Aphrodite. It is grace that enables people to change.
So... Paul could also thank God for every believer reading this, and say he ALWAYS CAN. Grace does not go away- salvation does not disappear
No matter what you are facing this Thanksgiving week, God's grace will not leave you. Thank God for those around you who have experienced and recognize God's grace.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be thankful for those around me who know and appreciate you.
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