The Friday after the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on October 11, 2024 by under
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:9-12 (NKJV)
13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
Devotion
“For we know in part and we prophesy in part.” But just what is that “part”? Let’s back up for a moment and think about to whom Paul is writing. He is writing to Christians, and Christians need to hear what Jesus instructed His Apostles to preach: “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations” (Luke 24:47).
Every day in the life of the Christian is one of daily repentance, wrought by the Holy Spirit. This is exactly what Paul is directing his readers to, whether they be in Corinth, Ephesus, or us in our time and place. He is always directing his readers to repent of their sins and to trust in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. That is our life in the here and now.
As Paul continues, he states that that “part will be done away” because the “perfect has come.” When the Christian dies, daily repentance and forgiveness of sins is no longer needed. Like Lazarus, whose name means “God has helped,” our souls are ushered by angels to Jesus. There we find our eternal rest. There, with Jesus, we no longer need to repent, for “the old man” has died, never to be seen again, and our souls await the resurrection of “the new man” unto life eternal. Come, Lord Jesus!
Collect: O Almighty and most Merciful God, of Thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech Thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready, both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things that Thou wouldest have done; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
