Rochester, MN UCC - "The Faithfulness of God" - 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

In the season of Advent, we hear a lot about God’s grand plans for the future; specifically, we hear about the return of Jesus Christ, what Paul in our reading from Corinthians refers to as “the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This revealing of Jesus Christ upon his return is described with all sorts of beautiful imagery: a new heaven and new earth, the end of all injustice and unrighteousness, and the defeat of death. While this imagery is meant to be comforting it can also be somewhat anxiety producing. Are we ready for this change? Will we be prepared to be a part of it? Will we be able to welcome the coming of the kingdom as good news?

 In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul begins by giving thanks for the grace that God has given to the members of the church at Corinth. This grace has greatly enriched the congregation, strengthening their testimony, and providing them with every spiritual gift that they need. It is God who has called us to a life of faith and God who has provided for us all that we need to live it out.

 When we look to the future coming of God’s kingdom, we should remember that God is faithful. The God who called us into this life of faith will provide for us all that we need to meet every moment. We can be confident that we will have all we need to participate in the coming of God’s kingdom, for it was our faithful God who called us to this task. Hear it once in Paul’s words, “He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” The good news of Advent is not only hope in God’s coming kingdom, but also our trust in God’s promise that we will be made ready to welcome this kingdom and participate in its fullness. May we all find reason to hope in the faithfulness of our God.

 Rev. Andrew Greenhaw