October 5

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.  1 Corinthians 1:2.

Will we every fully comprehend the grace of God?  Here, in this verse, He is addressing the church in Corinth, perhaps the most idolatrous and fleshly group of people on the face of the earth.  Yet, He refers to them as sanctified in Christ Jesus.  He calls them saints.  Yes, this is grace in its highest form.  The lesson for us is to realize that God looks upon all Christians in this same manner—even us.

Churches have been divided over the theology of sanctification.  Here, God says that the sanctification is complete—at least in His mind.  It is past tense.  We often realize that we are a ‘work in progress’—that sanctification from our viewpoint is ongoing—as we grow in maturity.  We need only look ahead to 1 Corinthians 1:30 to realize that Jesus is our completed sanctification.  The loving Father sees us clothed with Christ—His sanctification includes us as well.

Thank You, Father, that Your greeting includes all those who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Without that standing before You, we are helpless and lost.  Today I want to walk in a new realization of Your grace.  I have eternity to discover it, but there will be enough to learn each day—forever.  Thank You again for the precious gift of Your Son Jesus.  Amen.

                                        Back