The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 15:1-5,
"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. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 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, and that he appeared to Cephas, [Peter] and then to the Twelve..."
Here Paul provides the unadulterated simple gospel message: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day...". He points out this happened according to the Scriptures. It was foretold.
This message, the gospel message, is the most powerful message among all mankind. Paul says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17. Our embrace of the gospel message by faith imbues us with the righteousness of God!
Earlier in this letter Paul pointed out to his readers, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18. He also told his readers in Thessalonica, "... our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:5.
Surely that power is embedded in the observation Paul makes in Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message [the gospel], and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Our faith manifests itself when we embrace the gospel (when we embrace Jesus Christ!) in faith.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"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. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 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, and that he appeared to Cephas, [Peter] and then to the Twelve..."
Here Paul provides the unadulterated simple gospel message: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day...". He points out this happened according to the Scriptures. It was foretold.
This message, the gospel message, is the most powerful message among all mankind. Paul says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17. Our embrace of the gospel message by faith imbues us with the righteousness of God!
Earlier in this letter Paul pointed out to his readers, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18. He also told his readers in Thessalonica, "... our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:5.
Surely that power is embedded in the observation Paul makes in Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message [the gospel], and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Our faith manifests itself when we embrace the gospel (when we embrace Jesus Christ!) in faith.
All kinds of people have all kinds of ideas about how to enter God's family. All kinds of people have all kinds of ideas about how to evangelize others. Paul points to the simplicity of the gospel message he took to the world. We don't have to be theological experts, we don't have to be trained in argumentation and apologetics to share the simple gospel message. All we need to do is to share it, and those who have a desire to embrace Jesus Christ will respond. Others will cling to their sin.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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