Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

1 Corinthians 15: 1-2

We receive many conflicting messages every day and over the last few years it seems to find a consistent source of what Francis Schaeffer called “true truth.” And so the words Isaiah wrote thousands of years ago by Isaiah are relevant today in our upside/down world –

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Isaiah 5:20

So, truth is absolutely important, especially as it relates to our faith. Every year around this time, an online article or commentary will plant a seed of doubt regarding the very existence of Jesus Christ as a historical figure.

It is critical that we understand the basis for our faith which is simply Jesus Christ and His resurrection because without the resurrection there is no Gospel. It is for this reason, that I consider 1 Corinthians 15, to be one of the most critical chapters relating to our faith.

In these opening verses, Paul reminds the church that it is the Gospel of Christ that was preached, and received and is the foundation of the faith that is in the process of saving the church and us! Notice that we are being saved – not by our own efforts, but by the Gospel which is based on the death and resurrection of Christ.

Paul encourages his readers to “hold fast to the word I preached to you.” What is the basis for your faith?