Receiving More Than We Know

Have you ever given a gift to someone who didn’t appreciate the gift, most often because he/she didn’t really understand the full potential or use of the gift? This is sort of like the modern day commercial where the guy is using his ipad as a hammer or a placemat. Sure, it will serve those functions but it has way more value than that. Or, perhaps it is like the child who gets a $100 toy but chooses to play with the box. Today’s reading takes me to the first six chapters of 1 Corinthians. Paul often begins his letters with an encouraging word and we see that here in verses 4-9 of chapter 1: 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

These words are true of every believer in Jesus, not just the “super” ones. Notice that verse 5 says we are “enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and knowledge”. And then in verse 7, “so that you come short in no gift…”. If you are a follower of Jesus these words are true for you. You have been enriched in everything and you fall short in no gift. You have been given everything and you are everything that God desires you to have and to be. God has done this for you not based on your performance or past resume’, rather God has given you these gifts because of His love for you. You are fully equipped to accomplish everything He has for you to accomplish and to experience everything He has for you to experience. Spend some time thanking Him for that work in your life this morning.