1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4.
” Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”.
Paul has been busy preaching the Gospel of Christ and there were some in the church that had doubts about a future resurrection of the dead. Maybe we could call them skeptics. Can you relate? Are you familiar with any such doubters? Can you imagine the questions they might have had for Paul? Here Paul took opportunity to reassure the wavering by answering their skepticism and summarizing the Good News of the Gospel; the very heart of which is the atoning death, burial and victorious resurrection of Christ our Redeemer and Savior. Christ died for our sin, yes, but we can’t leave Him on the cross or there is no Hope of salvation, no reconciliation, no redemptive work and no victory. Oh He rose again, and there is redemptive power in His resurrection. Paul exhorts these believers of the Faith to stay true to the message they first heard and received of God and remain true to the heart of the salvation message. Those who continue to stand firm will be saved. Doubts are as sure today as they were in Paul’s day. When they tantalize and tease, remember your day of salvation and the past victories that the Lord has given.
Cultures, doctrines and theologies are many and they come and go with the winds of time and change, but God’s Word stands sure and true. It stands all by itself without need for argument or defense on it’s behalf. It has stood the test of time! Nothing can destroy it! It’s truths are treasures for our life and precepts to live by. It’s heart is the message of salvation: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. It’s a book like no other! God’s power dwells in it to save, transform and renew. Stand on it! Study it! Live by it! Trust it! Believe it! Speak it! Preach it and Teach it! Christ died for our sin and rose victoriously.. Spread the word it’s life changing.
Hope and Healing In Hard Places 