WORDS OF LIFE DEVOTIONAL
TUESDAY 26 MARCH, 2024
REV. EKOW ESHUN
THE NEWS THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
SCRIPTURE :
I CORINTHIANS. 15:14 (NKJV)
” And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and our faith is also vain………………….”
Today, the gospel is generally accepted almost worldwide as part and parcel of Christianity. Nations of the world are quite tolerant of Christianity because of the impact it has had on the world for more than 2000 years. Remember, however, that in the days of Apostle Peter, it wasn’t that easy to call yourself a Christian or believer. Those times, it could cost one his or her life.
We know in the book of Acts 7 how Stephen was stoned to death for believing and preaching about Christ Jesus publicly. In fact, Apostle Peter was crucified upside down because of his faith in Jesus Christ. He didn’t die a natural death. Many believers do not know this.
In those days crucifixion was popular because criminals were killed that way by the Romans. However, to talk about resurrection was unheard of. It hadn’t happened before. It was considered madness to be talking about a man rising from the dead, especially after the Romans have tortured and crucified you. Jesus’ crucifixion, therefore, was not news because that’s how criminals were punished. But His resurrection was big news. Why? Because Jesus’s resurrection was the first of its kind.
What’s my point? Because it is relatively easy today to receive Christ Jesus and live the Christian life, we don’t seem to cherish the importance and power of the resurrection message.
Remember that minus the resurrection, there is no Christian faith. Minus the resurrection, there is nothing like getting born again, nothing like church life, no miracles, healings, victory over satanic forces, etc. Infact, without Jesus’ resurrection, we are nothing, we are miserable and hopeless.
Our verse says, ” And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and our faith is also vain…………………..”
Praise God for the Word and the New Testament especially! Now that we have experienced the new birth because of the resurrection like Apostle Peter said, what do we say? We say, faith is not in vain. Preaching is not in vain. Victory over sin is possible and not in vain. Therefore, let’s preach Christ Jesus more. Let us use our faith more and more for healings, miracles, signs, wonders and for winning souls. Let us preach victory over sin more and more to people.
In the Old Testament they could experience the supernatural; miracles, healings, wonders but in Christ we have more than a supernatural life, we have The Transcendent life because of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus which gave us the new birth, eternal life and the infilling of the Spirit. Glory!
This is the big news. You and I must keep it so. The resurrection is big news. We must preach it more. This is the life the world needs to learn and live. That is why you and I are here. To preach the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
I thank you Father for your wisdom and counsel. You deserve all the glory for raising Christ Jesus, my Lord, from the dead. Thank you for salvation. Thank you for victory over the person and work of Satan. I am victorious in Jesus’ name, Amen.
FURTHER READING (NKJV)
ACTS 2:22-28
[22]“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
[23]Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
[24]whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
[25]For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
[26]Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
[27]For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
[28]You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’’
1 CORINTHIANS 15:13-19
[13]But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
[14]And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
[15]Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.
[16]For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.
[17]And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
[18]Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
[19]If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.