God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. – 1 Corinthians 1:9
In his “Authentic Christianity” series, theological scholar Ray Stedman says today’s verse is the key to First Corinthians. The rest of Paul’s letter revolves around it. It calls believers to an important relationship. He relates an incident concerning Peter Marshall, the Chaplain for the United States Senate from 1947 to 1949. He has a very vivid description of contemporary Christians. “Christians are like deep-sea divers encased in suits designed for many fathoms deep, marching bravely forth to pull plugs out of bathtubs!” Stedman says the problem today is that believers do not understand the implications of their calling into the relationship they have with Jesus. That lack of understanding led to divisions in the church, scandals, lawsuits, immorality, quarreling, drunkenness, according to the apostle Paul. Things are not much different today.
Do your part in overcoming these problems by being always willing to seek pure fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Rely completely on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in your relationships with others. Remember that both are privileges God has given to you.
A deep relationship between yourself and Jesus is what makes holy fellowship with other believers possible. This fellowship is deeper than an occasional meal. It is one where relationships are strong, honest, open, and mutually encouraging. In the same way that a closer relationship with the Lord avoids division in churches, a deeper relationship with Him enables the overcoming of divisions in government. Pray for members of the Senate and House to come to know the Lord more deeply and experience the sweet fellowship with Him and one another that results.
Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Corinthians 1:4-10
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
