December 1
1 Corinthians 15-16
"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 Peter, and then to the Twelve." (1 Corinthians 15:3-5, NIV)
Paul, who wrote much of
the New Testament, the most important thing he had to share was that Jesus died
for our sin, was buried, and rose on the third day, just as the scriptures had
foretold. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, our faith, no matter how strong,
is useless. The entire Gospel message hinges on this one historic act. If Jesus
did not die, our sins are not atoned for. If He did not rise from the grave we
do not have victory.
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the
dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (1 Corinthians
15:20, NIV) Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we can have confidence that death
has been defeated. We do not have to worry about dying because we can know it
is not permanent. Death does not have the final say. Death entered the world
through sin. Jesus paid for our sin and put sin to death when He died and rose
again as the perfect sacrifice. His victory has given us victory so we can die
with Christ and live for Him.
"When the perishable has been clothed with
the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is
written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O
death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is
sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:54-57, NIV)
Praise God for the
victory that He won and has given us!
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