“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:3
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On April 14, 1968, golf fans witnessed one of the more memorable episodes in the sport’s history at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. That day, while celebrating his 45th birthday, Argentinian Roberto De Vicenzo had battled American Bob Goalby to what he thought was a tie. An 18-hole playoff between the two would decide the 1968 Masters champion.
But, there was one problem.
Tommy Aaron, De Vicenzo’s playing partner, had incorrectly given him a four on the 17th hole instead of the three he actually shot. Caught up in the anticipation of the would-be playoff, De Vicenzo signed that incorrect scorecard. Golf’s rules at the time stipulated that if a player signed a scorecard with a higher score (66) than he actually shot (65), the higher score would stand. Thus, De Vicenzo’s official score was a 66 for the day, leaving him one shot behind Goalby, who was declared the 1968 Masters winner.
From this unfortunate event, we all stand to learn a lesson: no matter what may be vying for our attention in the Christian life — whether it’s a theological dispute, a bully at school, family strife at home, or an 18-hole playoff — we must not forget what is of first importance.
It’s the same lesson the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote about in his letter to the Corinthian Church. After spending much of the first 14 chapters dealing with issues like sexual immorality, lawsuits, the sacraments, spiritual gifts and proper worship, Paul finally reminds his audience what is of first importance: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3).
So what’s of first importance? The Gospel.
The other matters Paul addressed were certainly important — so important that he needed to write a letter. Yet in the end, Paul made sure to point his audience back to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because its importance exceeded all else.
Everything fades away when we behold the glorious truth of what God did for us. Because of the great love with which He loved us, God sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, to earth as a representative for us. Jesus became fully man without ceasing to be fully God, and beset with all the frailties of mankind yet without a sinful nature, Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience.
His greatest act of obedience was His agonizing death on the cross to pay the penalty that our sins accrued. It wasn’t the nails that held Him there; it was “the joy set before Him” as He reconciled His people to Himself. Sinless Jesus for sinful humanity. And not only that, but He was raised from the dead three days later, defeating sin and death, and is seated “at the right hand of the throne of God.”
This is the Gospel. This is the most important event in history, and its truth changes everything about the way we live our lives and the way we think about our circumstances. We must never grow tired of hearing the Good News, never becoming callous to it, “because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
We must not forget what is of first importance. No matter what unfolds in our lives, always remember to sign a correct scorecard.
— Kevin Mercer
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