First Things First

Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 15

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures... (1 Corinthians 15.3)

Devotional Thought: Paul began 1 Corinthians 15 with things he calls other items “of first importance” to Christian theology.  It would do us well to review these things:

• Christ died for our sins.  Yes, the Son of God died, but he died for a reason: to save us from our sins.  It is important to acknowledge and understand the reality of sin.  It is a terrible curse and has brought untold suffering, sorrow, and separation.  No one is immune to its effects.  Not only so, but without Jesus no one can escape the alienation from God that sin brings.  Have you received the offer of forgiveness through Christ?

• Christ was buried then was raised on the third day.  His death was real, but it was not final!  Paul spends much of 1 Corinthians 15 on the importance of Christ’s resurrection.  It is foundational to our faith.  Without the resurrection of Christ, “we are to be pitied more than all men” (v. 19).

• Christ appeared to Peter, then to the Twelve, then to five hundred brothers, then to James, then to all the apostles.  Christ’s resurrection was not simply "spiritual."  It was a physical, bodily resurrection.  These appearances transformed those dread-full doubters into power-full preachers.

• Christ appeared to me.  Without Christ coming to Paul, Paul would never have known the way.  The story of Jesus is incomplete without it becoming a part of my story.  Christ died for me.  Our theology must go beyond head knowledge and become heart knowledge.  He appears to us through the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin and to bring new life to us.  What have you done with this appearance?  Have you entered into a personal relationship with Christ?

See to those things that are of first importance!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for those things that are of first importance - your death for our sins, your resurrection that portends our own, your appearance to the apostles, and your appearance to me.  Help me to make these things of first importance in my life.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 112:1-5

1 Praise the LORD. Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands.

2 Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.

4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.