By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. (1 Cor. 15:2)
EVER HAD SOMEONE LIE TO YOU? An acquaintance once told so many untruths I found it hard to believe anything he said. Even when he was telling the truth, I wasn’t sure if it was another lie or if this time it was something I could believe. It destroyed our relationship. To say the least, the experience was unpleasant, especially because I trusted him.
Politicians have a reputation for talking a lot and making big promises, but once they get into office, sometimes it’s a different story. When people’s actions don’t match their words, we find it hard to trust them. We no longer put much store in what they tell us. We believed them once, but after a time, our confidence vanishes and our relationship becomes worthless.
Some of the Corinthians evidently had doubts about the resurrection of Christ. Paul wanted the church at Corinth to hold to what they had been taught in the past, what he had preached to them. Once again, he shared with them the evidence that Christ had been resurrected from the dead. If they didn’t believe this, their salvation was in vain.
We may not have confidence in what some people tell us, but we can trust in God’s Word. If we believe and hold firmly to what we have read, we know our salvation is not in vain.
Trust God’s Word to be the ultimate truth.
Vickie Phelps is a retired bookseller who enjoys reading and collecting books. She also plays the organ for her church and publishes the church bulletin.
