By John A. Huffman, Jr.
Three, I thank God that He has given you spiritual gifts.
Paul writes, "I give thanks to my God always for you because. . .you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 1:4-7). The key word here is charisma. You have great untapped resources. You have tremendous potential.
Sometimes, I complain about my lot in life until I'm reminded of those words, "Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father above." How blessed you are. How blessed am I. I am a trustee of these tremendous endowments, these gifts God has invested in me as an individual. God has given you everything that you need. You're not lacking in any spiritual gift that you need. What you as an individual may not have, those gifts are realized in this larger community of the church. That's why we need each other. The problem with the church at Corinth was that they misused their gifts. You and I can do that, or we can fail to adequately appropriate those gifts that are ours, not realizing our potential. God forgive you and me if we let His potential, His gifts, His spiritual gifts slip through our fingers.
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Four, I thank God that He has given you assurance that you will be blameless in the Day of Judgment.
Paul writes, "I give thanks to my God always for you. . .that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 1:4-8).
Do you know anyone who, when they read a mystery novel, reads the last chapter first? In a way, it sort of spoils the story, doesn't it? But that's not the way with the Christian life. God has made you blameless. Right now, even in your imperfections, you know the conclusion. He himself bore your and my sins on the cross that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. We are made blameless before Him. There is nothing you have ever done or could ever do that is unforgivable, as you come in repentance to that One who is your Savior and Lord.
Five, I thank God that He has given you His gift of faithfulness.
Paul writes, "I give thanks to my God always for you because. . .God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor. 1:4-9).
Can you ask for anything better than that? In an age of unfaithfulness, when some of us have had our hearts broken by the unfaithfulness of others, God is always faithful. Great is His faithfulness. Amazing is His grace.
I beg you this morning, whatever the struggles of your life may be, let thanksgiving come early this year. Thank God for His many blessings. See yourself as one who is a part of the family of God, one of His saints, thankful for His grace, riches, spiritual gifts, forgiveness and faithfulness.
To God be the glory for His amazing grace!
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John A Huffman, Jr. is Senior Pastor of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA.