| Day 82 Part 1: The Gospel and Men |
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 The reading for day 82 was 1Corinthians 15:1-Galatians 3:29.
The Gospel
In chapter 15 of 1Corithians, Paul goes through what the gospel is. In verses 1 and 2 he says that he preached it to them, they received it, they stand in it, and they are saved by it. So, they heard, received, stand, and are saved. What did they hear and receive? Verses three through eight tell us. 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. Notice how there seems to be an emphasis on those who saw Christ after His resurrection. This is important because it validates the testimony of those like Paul. If Paul was the only person who had seen, it would be harder to believe, but when over 500 people have seen its easier to see how it could be true.
What made them able to stand? It was the grace of God, as Paul says in verse 10, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain..." They (and we) were also able to stand because of Christ's kingship. 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
What saved them? 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept. 15:21 For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Christ's payment for their sin on the cross and His subsequent resurrection is what is given to them as saving grace. His righteousness is our righteousness. Adam's death is our death. Christ's life is our life.
The rest of chapter 15 deals with the ramifications of the resurrection...and boy are they great. Its good stuff to read :-)
Men
There was one verse in chapter 16 that really stuck out to me. Verse 13 says, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." (NASB) I thought this verse was cool because it speaks to men like we want to be spoken to. It is very active. Be alert, Stand firm, be Strong. Thats how men are supposed to act...but the true measure of whether or not you're acting like a man is found in verse 14, "Let all that you do be done in love." Wow! Do you hear this men? Act like a man! Love!
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