“…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3b–5
Paul, the author of 1 Corinthians, also wrote the letter to the Ephesians. In Ephesians 2, we see the state of mankind[1], the need for a savior[2], the appearance and work of the savior[3], and what we need to do as a sinful[4]mankind in order to know God and participate positively in a relationship with Him[5]. By nature, all of mankind are children of wrath – we are born sinners and in a state of needing a savior[6]. The reason for this involves the holiness of God. In order to be in the presence of a holy God, one must also be holy. If holiness is not possessed, death is the result[7]. So, the situation humanity finds itself in – mankind is in a state of unholiness which results in death before a holy God creating a chasm that separates man from God. So, how do we bridge the chasm? We can’t bridge it…[8]We must be born again[9]which can only be done through faith in Christ.
Whenever Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again, in John 3:3, Nicodemus asks the logical question, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” which is a logical question. Jesus answers, in short, explaining that we can be born again through belief in Him– Jesus is the object of our faith.
So, we, as a fallen humanity are eternally separated from God, can’t bridge the gap on our own, but belief in Jesus bridges the gap giving us new life (being born again) and eternal fellowship with Him.
So, what is the content in which one must believe in order to be saved? Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”
Now, this is the beginning of a life of serving God. Romans 12:1-2 tells us, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, your logical service of worship.” Based on the previous 11 chapters of Romans (which explain the gospel), it is logical that we, as believers, dedicate our lives to the Lord, obeying and glorifying Him. We now have life[10], and the purpose of life is to glorify God[11]which is accomplished through completing the good works God has prepared for us[12]. It’s through Scripture that you can be equipped to do just that[13]! Get a Bible, read it, apply it, teach it[14].
I pray you believe in Christ – I pray you know God – I pray you have life. If you have any questions, there is a “Get in Touch” tab at the top of the page – I’d love to talk!
Blessings,
JO
[1]Ephesians 2:1-2; Romans 1:18–25; 3:10–18
[2]Ephesians 2:1, 3, 5; Romans 1:16–17; 3:24; 5:1
[3]Ephesians 2:5–7; Romans 5:6–11
[4]This is someone who has sinned. Sin is anything against the will of the Holy God. It is often described as missing the mark, alluding to an archer missing the bullseye on a target. Any sin (which every human contains) results in falling short of the requirement.
[5]Ephesians 2:8–10; Romans 1:16; 5:1
[6]Romans 5:12
[7]Genesis 3:19; Isaiah 6:5; Romans 6:23
[8]Galatians 3:10–14; John 3:3-18; 6:47; Romans 4:1–5
[9]John 3:3
[10]John 17:3
[11]1 Corinthians 10:31
[12]Ephesians 2:10
[13]2 Timothy 3:16–17
[14]Ezra 7:10
