Thought for the Day

Verse 32 - The wicked person is destroyed by his own evil doings, since men reap what they sow. The righteous have an entirely different fate. When we belong to God and are "born again," we do not have to be afraid when we face death. The One who has conquered death is with us, as we make the transition from this life to heaven. The most wonderful promise that belongs to every Christian is that we shall not taste death. Yes, our body dies, but the spirit of every believer in Jesus Christ lives on, and will meet Jesus and their loved ones who knew Him in heaven. Then, at the resurrection of the dead, we shall rise and receive our new immortal bodies.

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:51-57).

During His ministry on earth, Jesus had the power to raise the dead, as seen in the story of Lazarus (John 11:21-45); but at some point those raised from the dead, died again. Jesus just saved them from premature death. Many have been raised from the dead throughout history by Spirit filled believers; however, only One was resurrected from the dead and that was Jesus Christ! By His own death and resurrection, Jesus conquered death and hell for all who believe on Him. The resurrection of the remainder of the dead will not occur until Christ returns to the earth to judge them. For Christians there is no longer any fear in death, because its power is broken through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Praise God!

Verse 33 - God's wisdom resides within those who belong to Him. Because of this, we have access to His wisdom and knowledge for the answer to any problem. Self-confident fools will eventually show themselves as such; for what is in a man will at some time or other surface for others to see. All who desire to know Christ do not need to remain foolish and self-confident. If we seek Him, He will give us the power to follow and obey Him. We will not need to fear death or hell, for those who know Christ and love God have the promise that they will be with Him eternally.