At The Cross
What is the gospel? Perhaps you know or have heard it many times before. Or perhaps you have never heard this story of grace, mercy, redemption, and salvation. Either way, I believe it is essential to live each day in light of the gospel, so in today’s devotional, we will take a look at this good news. I pray it would be a refreshment to your soul.
Take a moment to read these verses in 1 Corinthians, meditate, journal, and reflect.
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth, who were divided, troubled, immature, and struggling. This letter was written to encourage them by giving them a new, God-centered perspective on life, which is to put God’s glory first. He wanted them to live each day in awe of the gospel, by recognizing and by posturing their hearts in complete reverence of His glory.
The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ, the only Righteous One to ever walk this earth, died for our sins and rose three days later—becoming eternally triumphant over all His enemies, so now there is no condemnation for those who believe. There is only fullness of joy!
In Romans 1:16, Paul says "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
He wasn’t ashamed of the gospel, because he knew that people go from death to life, through God’s work and power by means of the gospel.
Therefore, it is so important for people to know the truth—that we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God, which means we are eternally separated from Him and all His goodness. But, in His love and mercy, God the Father send God the Son to this earth to take on flesh, with human nature, yet did not sin. He gave Himself up for crucifixion, and as he died on the cross, God the Father took the weight of our sins and put them on Jesus instead. He punished Jesus in our place. He took on the full wrath of a Holy and Righteous God, and He did it for you and for me. His body was then placed in a tomb, and on the third day, He miraculously rose from the dead, never to die again. God’s perfect love and grace overcame the enemies of sin and death. Therefore, all who acknowledge their sinfulness and trust in Him to save them from eternal separation and condemnation, are forgiven and their gift is eternal life with God.
What a gift this is!!
I believe it is so important that we are continually refreshing our minds and hearts with the gospel, by preaching it to ourselves daily. I pray it would never be something that we become numb to or take lightly. It is absolutely the most generous and undeserving gift we could ever receive.
Reflection Question(s): If you believe this to be the greatest gift you could ever receive; wouldn’t you want others to experience this gift as well? Christians have been called to go and share the gospel “to the whole creation” (“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” Mark 16:15). Don’t let the fear of man stop you from sharing the gift that brings people from death to life! Paul says this in Galatians 1:10, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Let’s be the servants of Christ He has called us to be!
Today’s Worship Song: At the Cross— Hillsong UNITED
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zev5tHjCB_s
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/27uBwOJbW6kHsCbKGukxMK?si=tkbyqpEYQ3OlObmrzHiyzw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/at-the-cross-love-ran-red/1440815307?i=1440815400
Please continue to send prayer requests my way! If you have any questions about what you read today, or just want to chat, my email is: blrich1399@gmail.com
Sharing the gospel with someone could be just as simple as sharing this post on Facebook or forwarding the email to someone. I would encourage you to pray and seek the Lord about sharing the gospel with the people around you. Pray for boldness and for softened hearts to receive it. The gospel will speak for itself…you don’t have to do anything other than be obedient and take the first step of faith. We are just the vessels who have to be willing to allow His glory to flow in, through, and out of us.
With Love,
Brooke
