It is easy to discourage people. As a schoolboy, I once showed a painting I'd been working on to my art teacher. She promptly pointed out all the weaknesses in my painting. I went away and never finished the painting. I needed correction, but I also needed encouragement!

In this letter, the apostle Paul is planning to point out the weaknesses of the Corinthian church. But first, he begins by thanking God for what's good about them! God's grace has been given to them (1 Corinthians 1:4). They've known, as every Christian does, the forgiving, accepting, empowering love of Jesus. Whenever that happens, there is always cause to praise God.

They've also been ″enriched in every way-with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge″ (v. 5). In fact, Paul says, ″you do not lack any spiritual gift″ (v. 7). The Corinthians elevated certain gifts above others, especially the dramatic and miraculous gifts of prophecy and speaking in tongues (see 13:1-14:40), and it was thought that if a believer didn't have them, then they hadn't quite arrived. But here, Paul makes the point that God's grace has brought them not just one gift, but every spiritual gift they need.

Is this how we see things today? Are we tempted to think that because we don't have certain gifts in our church, something is wrong? Or that if we don't have a certain gift from God, we can't be very special? Let us remember, however, that if we belong to Jesus Christ, His grace has been given to us, and His grace will always bring the gifts for us to accomplish His purposes.

But notice how Paul continues his statement: ″You do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed″ (1:7). One day, every gift we have will pale into insignificance when Jesus is revealed-He's better than any gift! We might know great spiritual heights now, but every Christian looks ahead and eagerly waits for Jesus to return, because the best is yet to be.

In the meantime, we have Jesus' promise to keep us firm to the end, so that on the final day, we will be blameless (v. 8). Paul is absolutely certain of this because he knows that God is faithful (v. 9)-when He begins a job, He will see it right through. That is why Paul can be optimistic about this church, with all its problems-not because of the church, but because of the Lord of the church.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving to me and to Your church all that we need for Your purposes. Thank You that Jesus is coming soon! As I wait, please keep me faithful and blameless, and may I trust You, the God who is utterly faithful.