Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (1 Cor 15:1-4)
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:56-58)
The 1 Corinthians 15 challenge is simple really. Well, simple to articulate. Set aside 15-20 minutes (or more, if you wish) and prayerfully, reflectively read through 1 Cor 15. While reading (or maybe on a second pass), note (feel free to write in your Bible) all that hangs on Jesus' death and resurrection. Note all the positive, forward looking, hope filled promises that are ours, because Jesus died and rose again. Look at the whole Bible themes that Paul lays out as being fulfilled in Christ. And see anything else that Spirit desires to bring to your mind through this chapter. When this is done, spend whatever amount of time seems appropriate simply thanking and praising God for all that He has accomplished on your behalf.
This chapter is too majestic and deserves better treatment than to be summed up in a few paragraphs. So my challenge to you is allow the Spirit to be your teacher today as you reflect on 1 Cor 15, as you consider (again) the gospel in which you stand and by which you are being saved, and as you rejoice and rest in the reality that death itself will soon be defeated, because death will be swallowed up in Victory!
To God Alone be the Glory
related posts: The Gospel in 1 Cor 15
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