1 Corinthians 15:1,2 - The Gospel on which we stand

This is one of the most important chapters in all of Paul's writings, and the one where the fact and meaning of the resurrection is most clearly set out.

So far Paul has dealt with a whole range of problems and issues that had arisen at Corinth. In fact the letter is quite different from most of Paul's other letters, where the first part is theology, and this is then followed by practical application. Now we come to what the gospel is all about. If we find ourselves getting lost, whether we are theologically confused about something, or emotionally confused, confused about our life and its direction and meaning, it is often helpful to back to the root of the gospel. This is what Paul is about to do.

What he is about to tell them is what he first preached to them, and the truth on which they have made their stand. Truth is not abstract. Taking a stand on the truth is basing our life, the decisions we make, the hopes that we have, the way that we live, on some fundamental things being true.

The gospel is what saved them. Speaking in tongues or prophesying do not save us, eating or not eating certain foods does not save us, getting married or staying single does not save us. It is the gospel that saves us. There may be things in your life that do not seem to be going right, and certainly not in the direction you would like. It is not that these things are unimportant, but they don't save you. If they go wonderfully right, you would not be saved because of it. If they go horribly wrong, you will not lose your salvation. We can rejoice in our salvation now, regardless of the circumstances.

"if you hold firmly". We need to keep hold of the word. We need to persevere, we need to continue to believe. Otherwise our faith was in vain. Now remember that Paul is also the one who perhaps talks more about predestination in the Bible than anyone else. We insist on getting involved in sterile and pointless arguments about  once saved always saved, and predestination. This is the truth: God chose me in Christ before the world was even formed, and I need to run the race with all the strength that I have and all the strength that Christ gives me. It's simple really!