Good News!
Bible Reading: Romans 8
Romans 8:34, “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God.”
1 Corinthians 15:1-3, “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel which I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 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 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.”
Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead! This gospel message is of “first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3). A message which changes everything for those who believe. It is the message by which we are being “saved” (1 Corinthians 15:2). It is both simple enough for a child to understand, yet so profound even a lifetime of study could not hope to plumb the depths of its unfathomable riches.
Romans chapter eight has much to say about suffering and triumph. It’s not surprising to find the gospel message right there in the middle of it all, because it is the message which works to save us from condemnation (Romans 8:1) and assure us of future triumph in glory (Romans 8:37).
“Christ Jesus is the one who died” (Romans 8:23). That He would take on human flesh and purpose to suffer and die for our sins speaks to the richness of God’s mercy and greatness of His love (Ephesians 2:4). We were children of wrath, dead in our sins, engaged in evil deeds–yet God graciously intervened to save us by grace through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-3). The Apostle Paul was ever mindful of the gospel truth that Jesus “loved (him) and gave himself for (him)” (Galatians 2:20). We should never lose sight of this matter of first importance by which we are being saved, for no matter what we are going through, Calvary reminds us there is a God who so loved us, He gave His only Son to save us from our sins.
“More than that, who was raised.” It is the message of Christ’s resurrection from the dead which was in focus in Peter’s first sermon. The early church took that message of Christ’s death for sins and resurrection from the dead from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). That Christ rose from the dead is a message which speaks to the acceptance of His payment for sins and His triumph over sin and death and the devil himself! We serve a risen and reigning Savior who is seated at the right hand of God. How comforting and reassuring that is! Persecuted believers around the world have held tightly to this truth, which has reassured and emboldened them amidst their suffering. His victory is ours too! Yet how prone we are to forget such things. This is why Paul admonished Timothy, saying, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead” (2 Timothy 2:8).
Amidst the challenges we face, it’s good for us to regularly preach to ourselves this glorious gospel message. Read about it. Think on it. Sing of it in the hymns which rejoice in its joyful truths. It is a matter of “first importance” both theologically and personally. It is the message by which “we are being saved” (1 Corinthians 15:2). These blessed truths work to remind and assure us that “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
MY HOPE IS IN THE LORD
My hope is in the Lord
Who gave Him-self for me
And paid the price
Of all my sin at Calvary.
CHORUS: For me He died;
For me He lives,
And everlasting life
And light He free-ly gives.
No merit of my own
His anger to suppress
My only hope is found
In Jesus’ righteousness. CHORUS
And now for me He stands
Before the Father’s throne
He shows His wounded hands
And names me as His own. CHORUS
His grace has planned it all
‘Tis mine but to believe
And recognize His work of love
And Christ receive. CHORUS
LookingtoJesus 