By + To + Upon

“Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,  that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—  even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—  so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,  who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul identifies himself as an apostle called by God in order to clarify his standing and authority. Then he enjoins the church he planted in Corinth as those also called. They with him, by grace, called upon the Lord in faith to be named and connected as God’s saints. In an attempt to further deepen communion and unify their vision he expresses his gratitude for them and encourages their spiritual growth within the fellowship. Theirs was a secure and fertile place by God’s grace and within His family as they relied upon His faithfulness. (Acts 18:1-11)

Our Lord implements many prepositions in His dealings with us. He rules over our salvation, setting His love on us, drawing us toward Himself. When we come to Him, by His mercy, and trust in and rest on His work on our behalf, He plants gifts in us by His Spirit. Alive in Him, we begin the exciting adventure of living unto Him, for His purposes and glory. We actively wait for His appearing, sustained by His strength and righteousness.

In the mundane and urgent and cacophony of daily living, we can forget our heavenly connections. We can drift away from God’s calling, fixate askance at distractions from sanctification, shake off our gifts and God-given purpose to forge our own way. While we are free to opt for any of these, we will drift from the enrichment and spiritual fruitfulness that comes within the body of the saints together.

Do we understand and take seriously our calling as those set apart in Christ?How would the weary, lost world distinguish us from those without hope? In what ways is the testimony of Christ apparent and thriving in our ready knowledge, speech, and conduct?

How committed are we to regular fellowship of the saints? What is our contribution as we participate? How do we specifically exercise our gifts to intentionally and actively foster and confirm Christ’s imprint in others? What are we doing to sustain hope and remain pure as the Body awaits Christ’s return?

Lord, keep me intwined in and staid upon all Your graces and purpose for the good and expansion of Your church. From you and to you be all glory. (Romans 11:36)