“He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:8)
What an overwhelming and powerful promise this is – especially when you think about the letter that followed these words. Paul knew he was about to tell these Christians all kinds of things they were doing wrong both as individuals and as a church.
They had chosen sides on several big issues and were bitterly divided. They were not making good use of the power of the Holy Spirit; they didn’t understand the difference between worldly wisdom and true, biblical wisdom. They allowed for all kinds of sexual immorality, and they were suing each other in secular courts. On almost every issue, they cared more about their own rights than about doing what was best for each other.
Still, Paul writes these words. He wasn’t about to tell them, “God is going to give up on you if you don’t change your ways.” That wouldn’t be grace. He was going to tell them, “Because God will not give up on you, you have the power to live as the new people you are in Christ. God won’t quit, and God doesn’t fail – even when it comes to making his rebellious children like Jesus.”
Think: Most Christians get that we cannot save ourselves, but sometimes we think we can make ourselves holy and Christlike in our own strength. What’s wrong with that idea?
Pray: If you’re a Christian, thank God that he will keep you strong to the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Do: Read the most famous definition of love – God’s love for us and the love he wants us to give to each other – in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.