It’s your first day on the job. You’re nervous. Your palms are sweating, heart racing. You have no idea what you are getting yourself into, but a sense of stability firms you up as your new employer says, “Okay, first things first…” What you are about to hear will be the foundational, most important things that you will need for your new job. Your ears perk up, and your mind is engaged. Your employer goes on to describe the things of first importance that would be needed as you begin your new occupation.
Paul does a similar thing for us, firming us up with the truth of what is of first importance in the Christian faith. These are the foundational, most important matters. We dare not neglect them nor ignore them.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “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” (ESV).
We see that this truth is reliable. This message that Paul proclaims isn’t some made up fairy tale, but he has delivered to the Corinthians what he has received. This is a critical thing to remember as Christians–the truth that we hold to is the truth that has been delivered to us. It comes ultimately from God Himself, who used men to write His Word. So what Paul shares is not fake news, but good, real, truthful, historical news.
Additionally, it is a very important message. As Paul shares, this is “of first importance.” Why? Because the good news of Jesus Christ involves salvation. It has eternal significance! To ignore or neglect it would be to disregard or downplay something of first importance. This is why we must always hold onto, remember, reflect upon, and cherish Christ’s work on the Cross. May we never abandon this teaching! May we never demote it to a lower spot because of neglect or familiarity, but see it as a matter of first importance.
What’s the content of this message? That “Christ died for our sins.” An essential part of the good news of salvation is that Christ died. The fact that He died reminds us that the Gospel that Paul proclaims isn’t merely symbolic literature meant to just inspire good vibes or positivity, but it’s real and historical. Jesus Christ actually died. This event is a part of history, and He did it for us. He took our place and died for our sins, bearing the weight of our sin and guilt on Himself to pay the penalty that we deserved.
All of this did not just happen by random chance. Rather, it happened according to a plan, for it was “according to the Scriptures.” Christ’s death wasn’t a mistake or something that caught God off guard, but it was done according to the grand plan of the Lord. We needed a Savior, God promised a Savior, and Jesus Christ fulfilled those promises.
That isn’t the end of the message, but only part of it, for He was buried and rose again on the third day. He conquered death and lives forevermore. The work of salvation is done, it’s completed, and it’s finished on the Cross. So, have you turned from your sins and responded in faith?
This is the message of first importance. It’s way more significant and stabilizing than some instructions by your employer. It’s way more important than any message that there is. Let’s keep this truth first in our hearts and minds.
This article was originally published in The Progress newspaper on March 14, 2024.
Portraits of Grace 