Bible League: Living His Word So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don't let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.— 1 Corinthians 15:58 ERV Given the glorious future that Christians can look forward to, a future that includes nothing less than the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12-56), there are at least three things that we should do. First, we should stand strong and confident in the faith. Even though there will be trials, troubles, temptations, and persecutions, we should stand strong. Even though there will be times when our faith seems pointless and fruitless, we should still stand strong. Second, we should not let anything change us. That is, we should not let anyone or anything turn us aside from the faith, especially our faith in the glorious future that awaits us. "You must remain strong and sure in your faith. You must not let anything cause you to give up the hope that became yours when you heard the Good News" (Colossians 1:23). Although there may be friends that try to turn us back to our old way of life, although there may be false teachers that try to turn us aside to heretical beliefs, we should not let them change us. Third, we should always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. What is the "work of the Lord"? It is not only ministry in a local church or missionary work. It is everything the Lord requires of us in every area of life. It is every duty and every virtue that is required of us in Christ's kingdom. We should do everything we are called to do to advance the kingdom and we should do everything we are called to do to manifest the life of the kingdom. Further, we should do all this "fully." That is, we should do it diligently and with excellence. Our verse for today tells us that doing these three things will not be a meaningless waste of time. Why not? It's because there will be rewards in the present era and in the future. If we stand strong, we will experience all the good things of God's great salvation, now and forevermore. "We must not get tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time. We must not give up" (Galatians 6:9). Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingIsaiah 4, 5, 6 Isaiah 4 -- A Remnant in Zion NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 5 -- Song of the Vineyard; Woe to the Wicked NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 6 -- Isaiah's Vision and Commission NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Galatians 3 Galatians 3 -- Abraham's Faith Credited as Righteousness; Purpose of the Law NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.Insight Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand that they were a unified assembly. They were not to see themselves as a collection of competing interests or independent individuals. Paul was emphasizing the intent of Jesus' prayer in John 17:21-23 that believers be unified in God. Challenge What actions can you take this week to strengthen your ties to fellow Christians in the church of Jesus Christ? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Romans 3:26 Just, and the justifier of him which believeth.Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. Conscience accuses no longer. Judgment now decides for the sinner instead of against him. Memory looks back upon past sins, with deep sorrow for the sin, but yet with no dread of any penalty to come; for Christ has paid the debt of his people to the last jot and tittle, and received the divine receipt; and unless God can be so unjust as to demand double payment for one debt, no soul for whom Jesus died as a substitute can ever be cast into hell. It seems to be one of the very principles of our enlightened nature to believe that God is just; we feel that it must be so, and this gives us our terror at first; but is it not marvellous that this very same belief that God is just, becomes afterwards the pillar of our confidence and peace! If God be just, I, a sinner, alone and without a substitute, must be punished; but Jesus stands in my stead and is punished for me; and now, if God be just, I, a sinner, standing in Christ, can never be punished. God must change his nature before one soul, for whom Jesus was a substitute, can ever by any possibility suffer the lash of the law. Therefore, Jesus having taken the place of the believer--having rendered a full equivalent to divine wrath for all that his people ought to have suffered as the result of sin, the believer can shout with glorious triumph, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Not God, for he hath justified; not Christ, for he hath died, "yea rather hath risen again." My hope lives not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died; my trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, he is my righteousness. My faith rests not upon what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is, in what he has done, and in what he is now doing for me. On the lion of justice the fair maid of hope rides like a queen. Daily Light on the Daily Path James 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.1 Peter 1:6,7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, • so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; Romans 5:3,4 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; • and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; Lamentations 3:26 It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD. Hebrews 10:34-36 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. • Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. • Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, • comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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