Many times when life opens up opportunities before us, when we stand before the Promised Land, we often find ourselves hesitating: are we really ready to face the giants? That’s what I feel in my life now, as our church is in the process of moving to a new site for worship.
I wonder:
What kind of problems and challenges are we going to encounter? Are we equipped to minister to those whom God is about to bring into our midst? Will we become a visible presence of God’s grace and power in an area that is becoming increasingly darker? Will our church and UMBC (the church with whom we will share the building) enjoy a vibrant, true partnership in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Will our unconfessed sins, unhealed wounds and pain, or broken relationships eventually unravel or even break us as we face more challenges ahead?
The opening portion of Paul’s first letter to a church in Corinth that had plenty of problems of their own gives me hope.
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours. 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor 1:1-9)
Located in a corrupt social and economic context in the first century Roman empire, the Corinthian church unfortunately was not able to live above the standard of the world around them. They were instead corrupt in many of the same ways as the surrounding society. There were sexual sins, quarreling, and litigation within the church. Some people insisted on their personal freedom at the expense of others. Even when in worship, there were arguments, discrimination, and pride. There were also people who didn’t even believe in resurrection.
But Paul gave thanks to the Lord for a church that was seemingly hopeless! (1:4)
The reason? The grace of God in Jesus Christ gave them a life of victory and hope. Like Paul, we can give thanks in every situation because the grace of God in Jesus Christ gives us a life of victory and hope! The name of the Lord is to be praised!
So now, given this hope from Jesus Christ, let’s:
- Praise God for His grace and give thanks for our own life, for our family, for our brothers and sisters, for our church, and for the partnership with UMBC.
- Pray in humility to ask the Spirit of God to reveal the pride of self-sufficiency in your life. How do we know whether we are pridefully self-sufficient before God? By our attitude toward our families, our colleagues, our fellow Christians, and anyone we encounter in life.
- Ask for forgiveness, receive cleansing, and then enjoy renewed intimacy with God.
- Pray in boldness for God’s glory to be revealed through us!
