1st Corinthians - Anastasis

Bridging the Gap

1 Corinthians 15:3

As we drove up to the beach, it was clear that it would be “one of those days.” The waves were crashing with such a mighty force that the mist grazed our faces as we stood on the sand. My heart was beating fast. As a teenager, it was the kind of wave day I dreamed about. I zipped on my wetsuit, put on my fins, grabbed my boogie board, and ventured into the water. Immediately, the strength of the tide began to push and pull me at its will. After being in the water for about thirty minutes, I started to get pulled out to sea. Regardless of how hard I kicked and paddled, I couldn’t make it back to shore. Spoiler alert, I survived, but only because a lifeguard on a jet ski came and rescued me.

Being in the waves and separated from the land was a terrifying experience. Separation is a terrifying experience in general. When Scripture talks about separation, the good news means that Jesus bridged the gap or separation that our sin created. Paul records it like this in 1 Corinthians 15:3, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures… (1 Corinthians 15:3) Part of the gospel is that Jesus “died for sins.”

The word sin conjures up all sorts of images and feelings in our minds. The word sin is the Greek word hamartia and it means “to miss the mark.” The etymology of the word is fascinating. It comes from two words: ha + meros. Ha is a negating word and it means “not.” Meros means “to be part of” or “together with.” Not a part of… not together with. Sin is separation. That’s why the prophet Isaiah wrote, "... but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).

Sin separates us from God, ourselves, others, and creation. Maybe the image sin ought to evoke in our minds is of us drifting further and further out into the ocean. Drifting further and further from the people God designed us to be -- in relationship with God and others. He died so that he could carry us back to the shore. He died to once again give us union with our Maker. The Scriptures are clear, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). What a great promise.

Take some time today and confess your sins to Jesus and be reminded that he is the God who will always faithfully carry you back to shore. That’s the gospel!

Ryan Paulson
Lead Pastor

by Ryan Paulson

You’ve Got to Stand for Something or You’ll Fall for Anything

So where do you stand . . . ? I’m not sure when you were last asked this question or what emotions or thoughts it evoked. It may have prompted certainty in your position or doubt in your clarity on the issue. This is one of Satan’s greatest methods of producing paralyzing condemnation or doubt in our lives. It threatens our very human agency and possibly the very little hope we can muster to believe that we are not what our thoughts and actions may otherwise declare about us. Satan can’t take your salvation, and he can’t remove what was never his to control, but he can certainly knock us off balance.

Jesus says that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy but he (Jesus) came so that we might experience life in all the abundance God intended (see Jn. 10:10). This fruitful life that Jesus declares is not only the future but also here and now in the present. Jesus came to resurrect what the thief came to destroy. Where the enemy creates doubt, Jesus brings confidence; not because we don’t fail but because we do, and only Jesus has the words of truth that our souls long for like the parched earth hungers for the rain.

In 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, Paul reminds the church that they stand on a firm foundation of truth that is not based on wishful thinking or platitudes but the very actions of Jesus. Paul declares that the gospel is the life-giving bedrock of their faith. Our salvation is an enduring state of being; it restores and resets the conditions of our life. When we are most vulnerable and feeling threatened, this is the good news our spirit needs. Paul urges us to remember what really matters in life, that which is of “First Importance” (1 Cor. 15:3). Jesus died in your place. If you are reading this, you probably know that, but do you live like it? Bathe your heart and mind in the truth of what Jesus says about you. Your sin, all that separates you from an abundant, intimate, and connected relationship with God, was removed by him who gave himself for you. You can’t remember this too much or too often. This salvation you have is a past, present, and future reality. The grammar of this passage makes it clear. We can certainly complicate our lives and make a mess, but our sin is finite and our Savior is infinite. So next time Satan points out your failing, take a stand, you’re on solid ground, remember that your Savior, with widely outstretched arms, declared that he loves you this much … as he took your place and mine on the cross at Calvary.

Jaisen Fuson

by Jaisen Fuson