First and Foremost

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once,"  1 Corinthians 15:3-6a.

We don't like to admit that we are sinners by nature and by action.  Some people think that we are born good, others think that children come into the world as "blank slates" and parents can choose to write on their souls good or evil.  I have had people tell me that I shouldn't call myself a sinner, that I am better than that.  For many years I deceived myself saying, "I'm not that bad."  

But if we try to "soften" the fact that we are sinners and under God's wrath and curse, then we deny original sin (the sin nature all mankind inherited after Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden).  And if there is no original sin that keeps us separated from God, then do we really need a savior?  Let's take a closer look.

Paul knew that he was a sinner and he knew that all had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  He wrote to the Corinthians what was most important: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.  Jesus wasn't just a good example to follow, He was the necessary Savior who made atonement for our sins.  The proof of that perfect sacrifice that satisfied the holy justice of God was that Christ was buried and raised on the third day, as many witnessed.

These verses summarize what is essential to our Christian faith.  "how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."  They are simple, straight forward and easy to memorize.  They were given to the Corinthians and to us, so we remember what we believe and why.  Remember them.  

Praise God for his infinite mercy, praise Jesus for His perfect obedience and praise the Holy Spirit for quickening our hearts that we might believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.