Thankful for Grace

“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus…I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you…” 1 Corinthians 1:4, 10a

Have you ever struggled to see eye-to-eye with another believer? Perhaps we all have.

On this morning before American Thanksgiving, it seems appropriate that we should talk about giving thanks.

Before Paul began to admonish the immature Corinthians, he started his first letter to them with thanksgiving. He gave thanks for the equipping God had given them; they were blessed with all kinds of spiritual gifts. They were not lacking in the area of gifting. (See 1 Corinthians 1:4-9) And they were certainly zealous for their spiritual leaders!

So before Paul began the difficult task of shaping and correcting their attitudes and behaviors, he started with thanks.

We have found that when it’s difficult to agree with another believer, giving thanks to our Father for them, and for the specific ways He is working in them, is helpful for overcoming any hard feelings. Before we can act toward our fellow believers as “perfectly united in mind and thought” (vs. 10), we must be reconciled in our own hearts that he or she IS our fellow member of the Body of Christ.

And ABOVE ALL, we can give thanks for the grace given them in Christ Jesus.

It is Christ who has redeemed them, gifted them, and put us together with them in His Body. As He has done for us. If we can find nothing else to be grateful for, we can certainly be thankful for the Grace of our Lord Jesus upon another!

On this Thanksgiving Eve, would you join us in giving thanks for the grace poured out on ALL OF US in Jesus Christ our Lord? For the different ways He is leading His Church? For the various giftings He has poured on other believers?

“Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.” Psalm 4:7