the truth of the gospel

Sometimes when I'm working on my Bible study I will have what I call an "aha!" moment. You know, a revelation about why things are the way they are. An explanantion to something of a mystery. I love it when I have those from scripture. Spirituality can seem so vague, or even made up to some. I am a Christian and thus fully believe that Christ existed as a man on the earth, but yet was fully God, and died, was buried, and was risen 3 days later. I believe that he ascended to heaven and left the Holy Spirit to be with those who believe to continue to teach and guide them according to God's will. Okay, so to some people that's just crazy, especially concerning the Holy Spirit part. Well, for me faith has always come easy. Patience, no way. Gentleness, not so much. Quiet, meek spirit, HA!!!!! sorry, that one made me laugh out loud! But, faith, I've got it. Now granted, I've not had my faith tested or really stretched like so many I know. But in terms of just believing, like a child does, that's me. With all that said, I had a moment in scripture yesterday where God reminded me : "this is why you are like you are". It confirmed in me that all this spirituality is for real, not just something I believe b/c belief is easy. It is something I personally experience. So I will attempt to adequately share the scripture with you.
1 Corinthians 15:12-17 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
Wow, that's a mouthful isn't it! So, if the gospel is not true, and Christ was never raised from the dead, which would mean there was no ascension to heaven and no gift of the Holy Spirit, than why am I compelled to do right by God? Where does that come from?
Well, let me tell you this: it's not because I'm just good inside, oh no! Now, my mom would tell you I am, and maybe other family and friends would say that. But, it would not be true. On the inside, I'm all about me. I want what's best for me, I won't lie. I don't like to be inconvenienced by anything. So how do I manage to ever do anything right?
It's b/c the Gospel is TRUTH!!! Hear it my friend: It's TRUTH! I will not believe that my faith is worthless. Something inside of me compells me to turn away from sin. And when I fail, when "sin is crouching at my door, and I fail to master it" (Gen 4:7) I'm not right on the inside. Why is there such a yuck that happens inside after sinning? B/c God's presence is there. Bad is infiltrating Good. When Christ ascended He left the Holy Spirit to be who He had been in the flesh. And so, b/c of that presence of holiness I'm compelled to make choices that support holiness. If the gospel was false I would be different. Sin would completely master me, and you. And with that would be death, complete death, the hopeless kind. But, b/c the Gospel is TRUTH, I know that death has already been taken care of and that's how I have life.
1 Corinthians 15:36 You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies.
Friends, there had to be death for us to have life! This is how I know that the Gospel is truth: I have life and I desire holiness. This is not of my own accord but of God's will in me. And it is possible b/c the stories are true. It is THE TRUTH!
So, now let me give you the really good news, some real encouragement for those of you on the same track as I:
1 Corinthians 15:41-43 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
Is that not the story of Christ. He became flesh, was crowned with dishonor, and was completely beat down. But, then He was raised for all eternity in full glory and power and now gives that life to us.
How do I know? Because I am not who I would chose to be. I am changed!