The Blazing Center

“…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 1:7-9

Have you ever had an “I’m not going to make it” moment? I’ve had numerous moments of that sort. Playing full court basketball and feeling as though I’m rapidly approaching death. Not eating for 24 hours and feeling like my legs are going liberal on me. Surveying my finals schedule at the end of the semester and wondering if my professors have gone clinically insane. All overwhelming moments.

I’ve had spiritual “I’m not going to make it” moments as well. Moments when it seems like my sin will get the best of me. Like I’m never going to change. Stuck forever in a state of spiritual mediocrity. Hopeless, guilty moments. Which is why I find the above verses so encouraging.

Paul was writing to a seriously messed up church. Believers were suing each other in court, flaunting sexual immorality, and abusing the spiritual gifts like it was going out of style. If I were Paul I would have seriously questioned whether the Corinthians would ever grow in godliness. Thankfully, Paul wasn’t like me.

Paul was keenly aware that God would sustain the Corinthians until the end. God had called them into fellowship with Jesus Christ, and he would absolutely, positively hold them fast to the end. Their sin was serious and grievous, but it wasn’t the final word. In spite of all the rampant ungodliness ripping through the Corinthian church, God would be faithful to them. He would finish what he began.

Aren’t you glad that God doesn’t give up on what he started? He started a good work in you and me, and he’s promised to finish that good work. It may seem that sin is ripping through your life, and that there’s no hope for you. Good news: we serve a God who finishes what he began.