Receive the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-2)

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:1-2, NASB)

As most of us know, “gospel” means good news. Specifically, it means the good news of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said that He—and only He—is the “way and the truth and the life.” He also said that “no one comes to the Father but through [Him]” (John 14:6).

This is the gospel Paul preached with passion and diligence … and for which he was willing to give his own life. And he definitely practiced what he preached.

He received the gospel when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Yes, he had a supernatural encounter that few of us have, but when he was faced with the truth of the risen Savior, He accepted that truth.

And he stood by and held fast the gospel, devoting his life to sharing the truth throughout his known world. And He suffered for that gospel: In addition to being imprisoned countless times, he wrote, “Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren …” (2 Corinthians 11:24-25).

When we look at “receiving,” most Christians would say that, of course, they received the gospel. That’s why they’re Christians.

But what about standing by and holding fast? Have I devoted my life to sharing the gospel with my known world? Am I willing to suffer for it? Is God—Father, Son, and Spirit—the number-one priority in my life? Do I live to glorify Him by my speech, thoughts, and actions?

What about you?