11 May 2005

Let's pick up with this introduction from 1 Corinthians and talk about the end of all things.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind - just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you - so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 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. (1 Cor.1:4-9)

Here is the beginning of the power for new life - the promise. Whatever the day may have ready to hand us and whatever we may try to see beyond today, the story of new life is our story right through the end of all things. When we look out to the end - we are blameless because the end - just as the beginning - is owned by the Grace of God - our Lord Jesus. This is not a word of speculation or a promised based on a series of proposition that add up to Good News. This is the promise of a faithful God who invites us - calls us out - to share in the life that this promise brings forevermore. We are talking about the end being a forever reality - even now. Now is the faithfulness of God a reality and it will remain even when we turn and run the other way. Despite our actions, the grace of God, faithful through the end...continues to woo us into life along the way with Jesus.

You never let us go, O Lord of Life, and it is by your gracious embrace that we have life even when we stumble and fall short. You never let go of us and we are told that no other reality is set before us. Make this our strength and courage and hope in this day. Amen.