1 Corinthians 1:1-3, Grace Be Unto You

1 Corinthians 1:1-3 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

What a greeting! God’s unmerited favour continues to manifest its presence in your life. It is through God’s grace that the Apostle Paul is sent to Corinth and counselled to stay on by our Lord Jesus. Not pleasant for the mission team to contend with the enemies of the faith. They are placed in harm’s way. Physical dangers of imprisonment, caning and even stoning.

But their mission is clear. To be peacemakers, to bring the gospel of peace to the hearts of the people in Corinth. Indeed, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9). Thank God for the peace of sins forgiven when the people repent of their sins, turning to Jesus Christ for salvation.

God’s grace in the believer’s life is an unending, everlasting flow of God’s presence and power aiding and blessing him. Even when his faith is weak, he is sustained by God through the Father’s love and the intercession of the Son Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father. It is never snuffed out. The fire of faith that began in the believer’s heart will continue to grow because God’s grace never fails. What an apt reminder for us. Amen.