Christ Is Our Message

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday April 18, 2017

Topic: Christ Is Our Message

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12 – 20

In our bible for the day, Paul asserts that the resurrection of Christ is the centre of the gospel message we preach. In simple terms, Jesus died for our sins and resurrected that we may have life. To buttress his point, Paul noted that if Christ was not raised from the dead, then our preaching is vain. It would be vain and useless to preach. Without the solid fact of the resurrection, the whole gospel becomes empty and unreal. If Christ had remained dead, we would have no reason to be sure our sins have been forgiven, for it is the same power of God which raised Jesus Christ that forgives our sins. Our faith then would be empty and worthless. If that were not true, the whole system was false, and Christianity was an imposition.

The word vain here seems to include the idea of useless, idle, false. Whether there are people who still believe that Jesus Christ did not resurrect of not, we Christians believe He did. That is the sole reason why we still have the boldness to preach the gospel and that is all we preach. I don’t know what your message is but my message is that Christ died for my sins and for the sins of the whole world that whosoever believes in Him shall be saved.

Beloved, what is your message as a Christian? If it is not centred on death and resurrection of Christ, then your message is not true. You are only an impostor. What we believe is not in vain because they were written before now and they have manifested. We should not be deceived by what other believe and preach.

Food for Thought: Which group do you belong: those who believe that Jesus resurrected or those who believe that He is still in the tomb?

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 15 verse 14

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me utterance to preach Christ and His resurrection as the gospel message in Jesus name. 

Christ Died For Our Sins

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday April 17, 2017

Topic: Christ Died For Our Sins

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1 – 11

Our bible reading today can be likened to our statement of faith (The creed) because it contains the summary of what Jesus did to save humanity. Apostle Paul had to write this to allay the fears and doubts in the mind of some Corinthians because some people were teaching that Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. He stated that many people saw Jesus after His resurrection at different occasions. He listed some of them to include Peter; the 12 disciples; over 500 disciples (some who were still alive at the time he wrote this epistle); James (the half-brother of Jesus) and finally Paul himself.

The centre of Paul’s message here is that Jesus died for our sins. This should be a source of joy for us above every other thing we can think of in this life. If we understand the consequences of sin and its burden, we will appreciate that ultimate sacrifice of Jesus every day of our lives. That Jesus resurrected is a historical fact.

We should not be discouraged when people doubt or deny Christ’s resurrection. Rather we should be filled with hope because a day will come when all of us shall see the proof on His return. However, on the interim, we should always be grateful to God for sending Jesus Christ to die for us. Have you accepted that ultimate sacrifice by making Him your Lord and Saviour? A time will come it will be too late. Come to the Saviour today and make no delay.

Food for Thought: As Christ died for our sins, how best can we appreciate this kind gesture of God towards us?

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 15 verse 3

Prayer: Lord God, help me to appreciate your love for me in dying for my sins.

Jesus, Our Advocate

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday April 8, 2017

Topic: Jesus, Our Advocate

Text: 1 John 2:1

An Advocate is someone who supports or speaks in favour of something. An advocate is someone who acts or intercedes on behalf of another. Advocate is legal representative of somebody as in lawyers.  An Advocate pleads, mediates (1Timothy 2:5) and intercedes on behalf of his client. In legal terms, he represents and speaks on behalf of his client in court.

John used this legal term to explain the role Jesus Christ plays for us in the presence of His Father. The great object which John wrote to them was that they should not sin; and yet if they sinned, and were conscious that they were guilty before God, they should not despair. Rather they should confess and repent of their sins because they have an Advocate with the Father who is a propitiation for the sins of the world (1 John 2:1 & 2).

John also asserts that we shouldn’t take it as delight to continue living is sin. Unfortunately, this is common among some Christians today. Some wilfully commit sin because we have an advocate. Remember that God is also a consuming fire. As our "advocate," Christ is not a mere suppliant petitioner. He pleads for us on the ground of justice, or righteousness, as well as mercy (see yesterday’s devotion: http://mydailycovenantwithgod.blogspot.com/2017/04/gods-mercy-is-indispensable.html). He pleads with the Father not to withdraw His love because we may have been betrayed into sin.

Beloved, have you been betrayed into sinning and you are now feeling guilty and condemned? John offers reassurance that God will forgive you for the sake of our advocate who is the only propitiation for our sins. Go to God in prayer now.

Food for Thought: What will be our condition without Jesus?

Memory verse: 1 Timothy 2:5

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord, not to wilfully sin against you in Jesus name. Amen