The Apostle Paul had heard much about the problems the church in Corinth was having. It was comprised of Jews, Greeks, and Romans, and all had grown up with their own cultural traditions. Therefore, bring these altogether, to begin a new faith in the work of Jesus Christ, meant they would struggle. Paul wanted to smooth out these struggles by addressing the issues they faced and get them all on the same page, in one new culture of their own; the Christian culture.
In opening this letter to the Corinthian Church Paul addresses them with his one greatest intention towards them, the intention of grace. Paul has allot on his mind and wanted them all to know, though he might rebuke some, his intentions were to correct and not chastise. Immediately in this letter he gives them insight into his heart towards them.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3 (NKJV)
Grace is forgiveness no matter what you have done. Because Jesus died on the cross, people can let His death pay for their sins. If a person will believe in Jesus Christ then all of their sins can be forgiven, through God's grace. Those who Paul wrote to were believers in Jesus; so he says grace be unto you. Grace can be thought of as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.
What an attitude to have towards others. When a man or woman submits themselves to God and takes the time to understand what grace means, they will have grace for others.
Limited or missing attitudes of grace is a large problem in our churches. Some hold people accountable and never forget their wrongs. This is not grace and when this happens people are hurt and the concept of grace blurred.
Jesus spoke on grace saying, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV)
Letting others know your view towards them is very beneficial. Even the closest person to you can misinterpret your words if you don’t fist tell them your intent.
Spouses tell each other what is bothering them and if not season with grace, it opens the opportunity for hurt feelings.
Parents warn their children what not to do and yet never let them should they sin they can be forgiven. The tone of the parent's voice and the way they communicate can cause children to never confess when they have done wrong. People need to know that we forgive them, because God forgives them.
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 1:4-8 (NKJV)
Paul goes on to reinforce his feelings towards them and his intention to encourage them to live blameless before the Lord.
Paul expresses his thanks to God for them. When was the last time you told your spouse or your children your gratefulness for them in your life? Encouragement is becoming a lost action in our society. Letting people know you love having them in your life is extremely important. There are people ending their lives every day because they feel unwanted and unloved.
Then he reinforced their relationship with the Lord. You were called and Jesus will not let you through this life until He can present you blameless to His father. This becomes forgotten when people drift apart from God’s perfect plan for them. Jesus Christ is eagerly pursuing people to be righteous before Him, regardless of their sin. It was not something that Paul dreamed up, it is God’s pursuit of all people.
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV)
God is faithful to draw you to Him and we must answer by opening up our heart for Him to reach to others through our understanding of grace. We forgive, because we are forgiven; we love because we are loved.
Let us look to those in our lives and reach to them in God’s best interest, encouraging them to know what grace is. Encouraging them that God forgives; helping them to take the areas which are not conformed to righteousness and submit them to God.
Let nothing come between us and others, others and God, or we and God; because there is grace for all we have done.
