Of First Importance

“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. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, ESV) 

There comes a time when one has to make some hard decisions in life; look at the big picture and choose to do that which is most important. One would think it would be easy for believers to make decisions that are aligned with the purposes of Jesus. Yet what we see on the ground is that there are some Christians who are more inclined to seek the very things that the world is seeking. These Christians are read everything about their life, economics, health and wealth using world lenses. While those in the West and Europe; the developed nations are following the American dream or the European life, those in the developing world are seeking after prosperity. They are running after health, wealth and a good life, the same things those in the developed nations are seeking after. And these are the very things that the gentiles seek after according to Jesus (Matthew 6:32). When you see them and the world, as one author said, you see very little difference between them. How? The things they spend their money on indicate where their true allegiance lies. The indications are not only seen in their expenditure but in their time and energies; what they want to do in their retirement, how they raise their children, the people they follow and idolize.  

Paul however saw that it was crucial for the church at Corinth to know his heartbeat. He made it his mission for them to know the things he valued most. He sent them a reminder about the gospel. They needed to hear this again. His gospel was not crafted after human wisdom or philosophies, neither was it given him by men. He discerned the paramount thing to do with them was to deliver to them, “as of first importance what he also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures”. The first and most important thing for Paul was to tell them about the mission of God in sending his Son into the world. Of first importance was the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and him crucified, and rising from the dead. 

I have spoken to far too many Christians about the important subject of Christian witness and it is sad to say that only a few have indicated that they are on the Father’s business regarding evangelism. Many have seen detour signs and layby spots and turned to them. They neglect mission.  Daily they cry out to God to rid our politics and business of corruption, nepotism and all vice. Yet they do not see that all these may be happening because they have neglected their call to missions. They have a false assumption that sinners will turn to God by their own free will. To the contrary, Martin Luther said, “The will of man without the grace of God is not free at all, but it is the permanent prisoner and bondslave of evil since it cannot turn itself to good”

Let me explain something to free-willers who are out there a little bit. I believe it is because of this kind of belief that Christians are reluctant to share the gospel to others. They believe that salvation depends on human will and exertion, and not on God’s mercy (Romans 9:16). They do not see God’s sovereignty in the command to go and make disciples as an imperative order. They deny God’s right to choose and save those he wills. They do not rightly believe the words of Jesus, “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd” John 10:16).  The Psalmist and Paul wrote, “no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:1-3, 53:1-3, Romans 3:11-12). But if you believe in the sovereign will and plan of God, and if you believe that God’s will shall be done in spite of any or all resistance; if you believe that none of all that Christ died for will be lost, you will joyfully obey the command to go. This is what Paul believed since Jesus appeared to him saying, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” (Acts 18:9-10). The Lord had his chosen already in Corinth but they had not yet heard the message. Someone had to take the gospel to them. There is no way that these chosen ones could believe unless they heard the word of God. Paul had to take courage in what the Lord had told him to remain in that city until he moved him to another. He stayed because he believed that God wanted people to be saved and so he preached Jesus as of first importance to them.

And “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?” (Romans 10:14). Jesus has to be believed in first before one can call on him. But then, “… how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” The only times we will see an end of corruption among the politicians and business people will be when they have truly believed in Jesus and repented of their sins. They cannot save themselves or deliver themselves from the root of sin or the brute of sin. What we normally see on the outside is the fruit of sin and it is unfortunate that the church tends to speak only about the fruit of sin. No tree gives its fruit first before it is planted. And no tree grows to bear fruit unless it has taken root. Good as it is, the call to repentance is not just a call to do away with the fruit of sin. it is also a call to live holy lives. Oh, how I wish we were in avocado season in Malawi. then I would pick, or buy and eat avocado fruit. It is my favourite fruit. But I only see trees with no fruit everywhere I go. The fruit was picked at harvest time. The trees were not cut and I know that with the right conditions and at the right time, they will bring fruit once more. They will still bear avocado fruit nothing more nothing less because that is their nature. The roots still feed them and the owner still looks after them. What am I saying? The fruit is a sign of a bigger problem. Corruption, adultery, fornication, lust, greed, malice, anger, hatred, hypocrisy, divisions, envy, homosexuality, abortion, and all manner of sin are simply the fruit of sin. If one gives up lying or taking bribes for a moment, that does not mean he has stopped sinning. With the right conditions and at the right time, his nature will produce the fruit of sin.

But Christ dealt with not only the fruit of sin, but the root of sin and the power of Satan; the brute of sin also. The church needs to know that it is not the voices of politicians, philanthropists, medical practitioners, scientists or environmentalists that will do away with evil. It is Christ alone who can do that. Only Jesus has dealt once and for all with the sin crisis (Hebrews 6:10, 7:27 et al). 

The one who called Isaiah saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8) calls all believers today. But some are too busy fulfilling worldly missions. Andrew Murray said, “We find the Christian life so difficult because we seek for God's blessing while we live according to our desires. We make our own plans and choose our own work. Then we ask the Lord to help us not to go wrong. Instead our relationship with Jesus should be that we are entirely at His disposal. We should ask Him daily, " Lord, is there anything in me that is not according to Your will, that is not entirely surrendered to You?" 

And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Believer, are you not the one that God sent? Did he not tell you to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19)? This is of first importance. This is why you were called. And this is why you were chosen. To be fruitful and multiply disciples for Jesus. 

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you" (John 15:16)

 

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About The Author:

Pastor Sam Machacka is co-founder of Brink Ministries Southern Africa. A wonderful colleague and good friend. Equipping Pastors and Church leaders in Southern Africa. He grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe with his beautiful wife Mildred and they are blessed with three lovely children namely Samantha, Munashe and Joshua but they are now serving as missionaries in Malawi since August 2018

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