Wednesday, September 9, 2026

A devotional for faith tested by the fact of resurrection.

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, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. Yes, we are also found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:12–20

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead.” Does that clause confront you as fact, or do you use resurrection as religious language for a life that must end? Paul makes the issue severe: if Christ has not been raised, preaching and faith are vain. Your doubt is not only a troubled feeling. You want Christian comfort without the event that carries it.

Your false refuge is resurrection as an inspiring symbol of new beginnings. It may lift your mood, but it cannot answer Paul’s logic: if the dead are not raised, you are still in your sins, and those who died in Christ have perished. Your faith cannot rest on a symbol when the gospel rests on a raised Christ.

But now Christ has been raised. He is the firstfruits of those who are asleep—the first sheaf lifted from the field, declaring that resurrection has begun in him. This is grace for your tested faith: the risen Christ is the ground beneath the apostolic witness, the answer to guilt, and the source of hope beyond this life. Bring your question to the fact, and trust the Christ who is no longer in the grave.

Your faith cannot rest on a symbol when the gospel rests on a raised Christ.
Prayer

Risen Christ, keep me from trading your resurrection for a symbol, and anchor my faith in your living reality.