I’m too quick to criticize . . .

In the military there might be two men at bootcamp. One is learning what it takes to be a remarkable soldier and the other struggles to be capable. They do not act the same, but both are soldiers.

Being a Christian is something like that. We have been enlisted and we all are in boot camp, but the level of spiritual growth varies greatly. Each of us is a work in progress.

The church at Corinth was a work in progress too, with a few folks that needed further training! They had many problems and areas of incompetence. However, when Paul wrote to them, he didn’t start his letter with a reprimand. Instead, he focused on what they already were . . .

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)

I’d be tempted to jump all over them, but he listed their positives, settled issues they needed to hear:

Sanctified in Christ Jesus. They were set apart by and for God, ‘made holy’ — no matter their level of maturity, they belonged to Him.

Called to be saints. God enlisted them as His own ‘holy’ people, saints, a word is not reserved for super stars only. The Bible calls every believer in Jesus Christ a saint!

Together with everyone else who calls Jesus Lord. The Corinthians were disunited. Paul reminds them that in Christ they are spiritually united to all Christians in every place, part of the Body of Christ and in God’s army! As members of His family we belong to each other.

Share God’s grace. Grace is the undeserved, unearned blessing of God. He has no reason to bless anyone; He does it because of who He is.

Enriched in speech and knowledge. God gave these Christians the ability to speak as He opened their understanding of Him. This was also a gift of God, true for all believers.

Confirmed by their testimony. The confirmed their faith by declaring it. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Not lacking in any gift. God gave them everything they needed to live for Him, giving them no basis for arguing who was the greatest. What He gives has nothing to do with those receive it!

Waiting for Christ’s return. Those who believe in Jesus know He will return and are watching for Him and keeping themselves in readiness, not to be caught unaware.

Guiltless because of Jesus. Faith in Jesus removes all penalty for sin. Colossians 1:22 says, “He has now reconciled (His people) in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” No matter their sin prior to faith or their sin now as believers, God placed all of it on Christ and put the righteousness of Christ on them.

That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation . . . For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:19–21)

This church would not make the top ten list the way they were behaving, but they did have all they needed to become all that God intended. They needed to know that. Instead of making excuses or relying on their own wits, charm, abilities or whatever else they might have trusted, they were now accepted by God and equipped to do His will. God is amazing in His gracious love!

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, help me always remember to use Paul’s approach with those who seem to need a kick in the pants. For one thing, arguing over who is the best usually happens between those who feel inferior. Every Christian needs the reminder that we are all called by You, sanctified and blessed beyond our wretchedness. You take care of all we need, not only for the Christians at Corinth but for me. All glory to Your name!