now i would remind you, brothers, of the gospel i preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word i preached to you—unless you believed in vain. for i delivered to you as of first importance what i also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, [1 corinthians 15:1-4]
what does it look like to abide in the gospel?
the Holy Spirit through the apostle paul tells us that the gospel … must be received and we must stand in it.
receiving: is how we are saved, justified. that is, we receive the person and work of Jesus as our only way to be – made right by God so we can be with God.
standing: is living in – abiding in – the person and work of Jesus. listen to the words of the Spirit again … “now i would remind you, brothers, of the gospel i preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,”
to stand in – is important.
how important?
the gospel is of “first importance” the Spirit says.
again, it is how we are made right with God, and it is how we live with God.
it is how we abide with God.
what does that look like?
let me give you – one way – you can do that today.
1st – pray and ask the Spirit to speak to you as you re-read this passage. ask him to cause one word or one phrase of this passage to stand out to you.
2nd – then ask the Spirit to bring this word, this phrase to your mind all day. (as you are in your car, as you are in the shower, taking a short work break, whatever.) as these short breaks come – ask the Lord to bring the word or phrase back to your mind and then begin to ask the Lord questions or ask the Lord to speak into the word or phrase.
you will be surprised what the Lord will speak if you give him moments all day to speak into his word. i believe this is one way – one way – we can stand in the gospel. try it today, and see what Lord does.
for you, o Lord, do i wait; it is you, o Lord my God, who will answer. [psalm 38:15]
~ john ryan