Active Theology

“God is faithful, and you were called by him to partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9, CEB)

A common question for people who work in ministry or grew up in the church is “What is your favorite Bible verse?” I was never really sure how to answer that – it always felt arbitrary, constantly changing for me. But recently, I’ve used a more unusual verse when answering that question. It’s not a fan-favorite like John 3:16, Romans 5:8, or perhaps Ephesians 2:8. It’s also not what most would consider a “power-hitter” like Romans 8:38-39. Instead, it’s a simple verse, tucked in at the close of an introductory paragraph of one of Paul’s letters.

When people ask me what my favorite Bible verse is, I currently answer 1 Corinthians 1:9. In a translation like the ones used in the church I grew up in it reads like this:

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (NIV)

But I have grown to love this verse because of the way the CEB (Common English Bible) chooses to translate it:

God is faithful, and you were called by him to partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Besides being a bit clearer in English, it removes that often-overused word “fellowship” in favor of a more direct and powerful choice: “partnership.”

Fellowship was always this nebulous thing in the church, referring to anything from a Super Bowl party, an arts and craft night, or simply the space in the church basement. But partnership is different: it implies a distinct choice and effort from all parties involved. 

Paul notes first that God is faithful, a reference, no doubt, to the promise about God that Paul just mentioned in the verse before, that he will confirm their testimony regarding Christ on the last day. But it’s also a prerequisite to the following note about partnership: Paul starts with God’s faithfulness before telling the church in Corinth that God has called them to partner with his son. In other words, God is ready to partner, and will be faithful in that partnership. The only participant of the partnership that needs reminding is the church in Corinth. 

Too often we are waiting to see what God will do in the world: how he’ll bring beauty out of ashes; how he’ll bring to light injustice and evil. And certainly God can act in miraculous and even supernatural ways. But exceedingly more often God chooses to work in utterly natural ways: through humans. This is how God always wanted to work in the world (just read Genesis 1:26-28!) and it is of course how God chooses to work his supreme work of love and justice in the incarnation: partnering with humanity in the human Jesus. 

But we forget that still today, God eagerly wants to partner with humanity, and it’s not only a want, but a calling. “You were called by God to partnership with his Son.” So as you enter this week, and every week, do not forget that calling. Actively choose to partner with God in his great work of redemption. Bring beauty to places where it lacks. Call out injustice and evil whenever it rears its ugly head. Ultimately do the work of bringing humanity to its fruition, allowing us to fully flourish on God’s green earth. This is, after all, the original garden mandate from Genesis 1. It’s not always easy work, and sometimes difficult even to identify. But when partnering with God, you can always start by embodying the spirit of God. So be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, and kind. Seek and do good, be faithful as God is faithful. Be gentle with everything and be intentional, full of self-control, with your actions in the world. Remember that God is faithful, and he has called you to partner with his son, Jesus Christ, our lord.

Prayer

From the Book of Common Prayer

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
   We your unworthy servants
      give you humble thanks
   For all your goodness and loving kindness
   To us and all whom you have made. 
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
   And all the blessings of this life;
   But above all for your immeasurable love
   In the redemption of the world by 
      our Lord Jesus Christ
   For the means of grace,
      and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray,
      give us such an awareness of your mercies,
   That with truly thankful hearts
      we may show forth your praise,
   Not only with our lips, but in our lives,
   By giving up ourselves to your service,
   And by walking before you
   In holiness and righteousness all our days;
   Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
   To whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, 
   Be honor and glory throughout all ages.
Amen  

Song: “No Home But You” by Anchor Hymns

Bryce Dunn is a software engineer at Egen. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2020 with a degree in Biblical Languages. He is a gentleman and a scholar.