I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, (I Corinthians 1:4 ESV)
Imperfect People
The Christians in Corinth were not perfect people. In fact, their shortcomings, faults, and unrighteousness caused Paul to write two letters to them, redirecting them towards sanctification.
Those folk were schismatic, yet Paul thanked God for them. Those folk were bigoted, yet Paul thanked God for them. Those folk were judgmental, yet Paul thanked God for them. Those folk were purposefully ignorant, yet Paul thanked God for them.
Paul also noted and was grateful for the positive traits and attitudes, and righteous actions of the imperfect people in the church in Corinth. They strove to understand God, and Paul thanked God for them. They were joyful worshippers, and Paul thanked God for them. They leaned on Christ alone for their salvation, and Paul thanked God for them.
In fact, their positives and negatives both reminded Paul of God’s grace, mercy, and love. And so Paul thanked God for them.
We, too, are surrounded by imperfect people. Whether those around us share imperfections as described in the books of Corinthians, or whether we see different faults, everyone around us is imperfect.
But like Paul, we get to be thankful for them. For the mutual meeting of needs. For the mutual opportunities to forgive. For the mutual need for learning. For the mutual drive and pull towards our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Make a list of all the people in your circles, and like Paul, thank God for them.