August 24

Job 12:1-15:35, 1 Corinthians 15:29-58, Psalm 39:1-13, Proverbs 21:30-31 

Pray: Father, lay a solid foundation in me concerning the resurrection. Teach me why Jesus was the firstborn of the dead. Why did Jesus say He was the resurrection and the life? Show me why He descended into the lower parts of the earth before He ascended on high. Why were there dead men walking in Jerusalem after the resurrection? Show me the power of the resurrected Christ.

Read: (I Cor.15:32b-34 ) "...if there is no resurrection from the dead? And if there is no resurrection, 'Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!' Don’t be fooled by those that say such things, for 'bad company corrupts good character.' Think carefully about what is right and stop sinning. For to your shame I say some of you don’t know God at all!" These verses demand some critical thinking. The center piece of Christianity is the fact that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. In other words, the resurrection was real and was bodily. There is life after death. Jesus proved it. But if it wasn’t really true then why get eaten by lions or get stoned to death for something that never really happened? Paul goes on to say that once you are convinced of the resurrection you should invest your time and energy with those who believe as you believe.

Edify: Ever hear someone say, “Birds of a feather flock together?” This passage is the Greek version of that expression. (Evil communications corrupt good manners.) Yes, God is love. But God is also holy! Holy means set apart. Too many young Christians return to old friendships thinking they will “win their friends”. All too often, they don’t, and because they are young in the faith they often return to old ways and old beliefs. Pursue holiness. When the time is right and the spiritual life is strong, you will be able to stand without yielding.

Practice: Learn why you believe what you believe. Practice sharing your faith with your friends.