1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – 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.

The gospel does not tell you something that you have to do. The gospel tells you what Jesus Christ has already done for you. He died for your sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, He rose again on the third day. When Jesus died, there were eleven discouraged men in Jerusalem and they were resolved to get back to fishing. Then, word came to them that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead! This news transformed these men and brought the church into existence. Notice that it says He died for our sins “according to the scriptures” and that He was buried and rose again on the third day “according to the scriptures.” These are the Old Testament Scriptures that Paul is referring to. The scriptures that foretold of the suffering Messiah and how He would die and come back to life. This is exactly what Jesus did for you. He is Risen and He is alive! His resurrection assures you that you too will rise one day and be in His presence forevermore.

Challenge:

God’s word is filled with instructions, warnings and promises for the life of the believer to follow and obey. Keeping His word ensures that you will be living within His perfect will. Let’s be challenged this week to live according to the scriptures as faithful children of the Lord. Committing to be obedient to His word at all costs, and especially when it may be more difficult to do so. Jesus said, “if you love Me you will keep My commandments.” Do you love Jesus? Keep His word. John the Apostle said it this way, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” If God wants you to live a certain way, He will also empower you to live that way. He will not ask you to do something without enabling you to do so. If He is calling you to be a parent, He will help you be a good parent. If He wants you to be an honest business person, He will equip you to doing business with integrity. Where God guides He provides. The greatest victory for a Christian is when you make the right choices in the little things so you are better prepared for the bigger things. May God’s grace be with you.