Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, NIV- “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
Paul shared here in 1 Corinthians 15 that he was giving away what he had first received in Christ. Shouldn’t we give away what we have received?
After Jesus rose from the dead, we are told in 1 Corinthians 15:6 that He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time. Each of those five hundred had a personal experience and a real story to tell, didn’t they?
Shouldn’t we tell the stories of how Jesus Christ showed up in our lives? We can be hesitant to tell others about Jesus because we do not want to step on toes, or think we must be biblical scholars, or experts in apologetics of the faith. Not the case, we must only know what Christ has done for us and give it away. We will never feel worthy yet what we have received is more than enough.
Even Paul, who wrote almost twenty-five percent of the New Testament, said in 1 Corinthians 15:9 “For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I am not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.” (NLT) In the next verse 1 Corinthians 15:10 Paul stated “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (NKJV)
This was Paul’s testimony; you and I have our own. Our unique experiences, good and bad, make us who we are. How Jesus appeared in our lives is the grace we must share to a hurting world. The grace we have received should also not be in vain. What we have to offer is invaluable.
If we believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and we have experienced Him, we must share our stories. When we give away what we have received we and others come alive as promised in 1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (KJV) When we have been made alive by Jesus, we can give away the life we have received.
Are you willing to give away what you have received in Christ?
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the life and testimony of Jesus Christ, Paul, and our other brothers and sisters in the faith. Thank You for giving us grace. Use our testimonies Father God to bring new life to others. Thank You for giving us Your power, courage, and boldness to give away what we have received. Amen.
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