By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain  (1 Corinthians 15:2).

Huh?

In vain?

For crying out loud, Paul! Couldn’t you leave well enough alone? I was feeling all warm and fuzzy and gospely, and then you had to go and throw in, “Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” Does this mean I can lose my salvation?

Breathe, Beloved.

Go back up and read the whole verse.

The condition is there–if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. What word is Paul talking about? Well, he’s going to go into that in a minute, but for the nonce let’s focus on this phrase.

Do you hold firmly to the gospel, Beloved?

I mean, have you staked everything on it? Is the truth of Christ’s love at the very center of your identity?

Then you’ve got nothing to worry about.

But

if you want to tell me that Jesus is a great addition to your life, that he’s your buddy, your copilot, your spiritual counselor…

then you’ve got issues, because Jesus allows for none of that.

He is, first and last, your King

your Lord

your God.

The world doesn’t believe it, but then you are not of the world, are you?

Are you?

Happy Monday, Beloved