Bible Reading Challenge #57

1 Corinthians 16:12–24

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.
13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—
16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.
17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence,
18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.

Greetings
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.
20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.
22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

A Letter of Grace and Love

Paul comes to the end of a challenging letter.
Throughout 1 Corinthians, he has addressed rivalry, deceit, sexual immorality, disbelief, and spiritual arrogance — among many other issues.

The church in Corinth is full of flawed, broken people — some earnestly trying to follow Jesus, others misusing His name. Yet, at the end of this difficult letter, Paul writes with love.

Paul Hasn’t Given Up

Paul hasn’t given up on this ragtag group of stumbling servants of God.
He hasn’t forgotten or disqualified them.
In fact, he longs to see them face to face.

Why?
Because Paul loves the people of the church at Corinth despite their flaws.
And more importantly, Paul is confident that God hasn’t given up on them either.

Real Problems, Real People, Real God

The letter of 1 Corinthians deals with real problems, real people, and our real God.

You and I are much the same as the believers in Corinth.
Our specific sins may differ, but our faith struggles often look very similar.

Remember This Today

God has not given up on you.
God loves you and sent His Son for you.
God will continue to work in, through, and around you
to make you more like Him.

Because God hasn’t given up on you — don’t give up on others.
Extend to someone today the same grace that God has extended to you.