TODAYS BIBLE READING:
 

Paul begins 1 Corinthians 15 by reciting, what is called the oldest creed in the New Testament. The gospel message which he laid out is so simple. No fancy examples, just the straightforward truth. We read in 15:1-3, "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you were saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you - unless you believed in vain." The gospel truth has the power to save, not by mere recitation, but by considering the words and taking them to heart. He goes on to deliver this creed in 15:4-8, "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas (Peter), then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time."

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Merely memorizing these words does not save the unbeliever in Jesus Christ. These words must be considered and taken in as truth. This truth must be allowed to push out what was our former truth. If our marriage was in trouble, simply reciting a series of words devoid of emotion night after night would do little to salvage our marriage. We would have to remember what it was that we committed to so many years ago when we lovingly recited these vows. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul said in Romans 8:37, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us," Unfortunately, though we were a nation formed under God, we have forgotten our roots. Revival takes place in the heart. He does not ask us to formulate a battle plan. Our Commander in Chief, Jesus Christ, has already taken on the enemy and He has won. The question is, will you continue to seek another commander or trust Jesus Christ, the only true Commander. Will you continue to fight your own battles, or submit to Him and allow Him to get us through our battles, The question really is are you, "under God" or are you not? May this creed or some variation of it be on our lips as we reach out to a world that has either never known Him or has forgotten Him.