1 Corinthians: need a new toaster?
What do you lack in life?
At the moment, we lack a good toaster. We have had our existing toaster for about 15 years – a pretty good record for a Sunbeam plastic 4 slice toaster bought from a clearance store for $30. But it is failing us lately and we’ve had some close disasters with some thick cheesey bread from Lim’s bakery. It’s time for a new one. And I do enjoy the hunt for the new toaster. And so the question we’re asking is “what do we NEED from a toaster?” I can spend $30 or $230 on a toaster and quite honestly, they seem to do about the same thing – they turn bread into toast. What do you really NEED?
What do you NEED from God?
Let’s ask that question. What do I really need from God?
It’s surprising that Paul begins his first letter to the Corinthian church by being SO thankful! This is a church that caused him a lot of heartache over time. Listen to what he says in chapter 1:
1 Corinthians 1:4
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.
You’ll notice that Paul is thankful for them – but why? Because of what God has given them. I’m thankful for you because of what God has done. He’s given you grace. He’s thankful for them BECAUSE God has given them grace. And he’s thankful for how God is now providing them with much more – from verse 5:
1 Corinthians 1:5-7
For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
God has enriched them in every way to the point that they do not lack any spiritual gift. This is quite a big claim! They may not have a good toaster, but they lack nothing when it comes to what they need from God. They do not lack ANY spiritual gift.
I may not have a great toaster at the moment, but I have a great church – a church whom God has given every spiritual gift. We lack nothing. We have been enriched by God in every way.
But most of all, I’m thankful that he has given us his grace – his undeserved kindness. Because this is what turns bread into toast. This is the transforming mark of his church. God’s grace is what transforms us. Let’s be thankful for that first of all. Let’s be thankful that God has given his church the transforming power of grace and from this grace flows every spiritual gift.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace you have shown us in Jesus Christ. You have shown us the kindness of salvation that we do not deserve – the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. Thank you for the transforming power of your grace, that changes us every day. And thank you for every spiritual gift you have given us as members of your church. Amen.