1 Corinthians 1:1-3Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The first word in this segment that pops out in my mind is "called" where it says we are "called to be holy." Mostly that's because I just spent this last weekend in Spokane, Washington at a Living Proof Live conference and one of the things Beth Moore told us is that we are "called with a calling" based on Ephesians 4:4. She said that where it says "just as you were called tot one hope when you were called" the more literal way of saying that would be that part about being called would be that we are "called with a calling." I might have messed that up a little but the basic idea is that if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you were not just called, but called with a calling. It is not just those in full time ministery who have a calling on their lives. We are all called to serve the Lord Jesus in a particular way, largely dependent on your Spiritual gifts, which we'll learn about more when we get to Chapter 12.
Paul also says here that we are "sanctified" in Christ Jesus. Now, how can that be when we are still so flawed? I believe the word "sanctified" here to be more how God sees us, even as we are continuing to be sanctified in Him, because when Jesus died on the Cross all of our sins died with Him. We are covered by His blood and so now when God looks on us He sees us without those sins. We still sin, but we're forgiven and therefore fully sanctified and completely holy in His eyes. He sees us through Jesus, not with all of our sins still on us that we know we have in the flesh. Because the word "snctified" literally means "made holy." So in a sense we are already sanctified. Now this does not mean we are off the hook as we will learn later on in 1 Corinthians. We are still responsible for our own actions in practicing our spiritual gifts and leaning on Jesus and living out our faith on this earth. Being witnesses for Christ. In that sense we're still in process and learning how to do those things effectively.
Finally, He offers us grace and peace, which I think we all know we desperately need. I know I do.
Prayer:"Dear Lord, I do need Your Grace and Your Peace so very desperately. I need it to live a sanctified and holy life. It is only possible with Your Grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
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