Every Day Carry
Now I would remind you 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.* (1Co 15:1-2)
"Hold Fast to the Word I preached to you."
What does “hold fast” mean? “Hold firmly,” “hang onto,” “keep hold of,” “don’t let go.”
The idea is that you have something that you want to keep.
But what if you let it go!? What then?!
Okay, so the idea is not that you have something that you need to keep or else it’s lost… the idea is that you have something that you want to keep handy.
In other words, you have something you want to use.
It’s important to clear up this anxiety first. One of the things we believe—one of the things we “hold fast”—is that we do not have to hold fast in order to be saved. Or, to state this positively, one of the things that we believe and “hold fast” is that Jesus Christ will hold us fast.
[“I (Jesus) give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)]
We don’t rely on our “spiritual grip-strength” for our salvation; we rely on Christ’s. As we sing on Sundays together, “He will hold me fast….”
So what does it mean to “hold fast” the Gospel?
It means that Jesus has given us something that we will want to keep handy.
We want to keep the Gospel at hand. It’s part of our “every day carry.” It’s on our belt, in our purse or pockets, in the center console, at our bedside, on the counter.
It’s near to us and we are never far from it.
The idea is not that we “believe just like so much!” but that we use the Gospel to address the situations we face, and to help others.
For example… Wake up feeling deeply fatigued? Okay, so, first, I remember that I don’t have to feel great or perform amazing to be loved by God—it’s okay to be tired! Second, I remember that the greatest gift of the Gospel is the Spirit of God with me. This is power and energy and hope beyond all comprehension. So I’m going to ask for some help from the Spirit. And then, third, I’m going to trust that the Lord will supply what I need, and I will take the next necessary step. But, fourth, I’m not going to confuse weakness with sin, so if I need a break, and I can take one, I will; but if I can’t, I’m going to move slowly forward as best I can, patient with myself, trusting the Lord. And, lastly, having seen the Lord’s kindness across my day, I’m going to give Him thanks.
This is using the Gospel. Keeping it at hand. Holding it fast. Letting it be a help, a gift, a source of hope, wisdom, and strength, with you all day long.
That’s the idea.
Sometimes we say, “The Gospel isn’t just fire insurance!” Okay, so what is the Gospel for us practically?
The Bible says, It’s like a lamp for our path, like stars to navigate by, like a rock to lean on, a wall to hide behind, a friend to help us up, like getting washed clean and dressed well, like living water for our thirst, rich food for our emptiness, sweet honey for our joy, daily bread, like salve and medicine, like armor for our vitals, a shield on our arm, a sword in our hand, a crown on our heads, a twinkle in our eyes, a spring in our steps, a song on our lips.
The Bible says, How can we live without it?
The Bible says, Why would you want to?
Photo by Callum Hill on Unsplash