WEEK 3: MARCH 13-19

Resurrected, So What?

The Resurrection of Christ is not only good news at the end of the story, it is the power to raise us to life now. Paul describes this power in Colossians 3 by talking about the transformation of who we are. We are crucified with Christ and raised to life, and this truth should radically form how we live right now. Our personal life, our family, our jobs, and even our free time should all reflect the reality that we now have an identity formed not of this world, but in Christ. Consider this truth and Colossians 3 as you prayerfully work through this week’s devotionals.

 

MARCH 17
Words of Life
By Sam and Noah Slaughter

Since it is so easy to communicate in today’s world, we are exposed to a lot of hurtful words and evil talk every day. When you come into contact with someone who isn’t treating you with love and respect, it can be hard to read or hear and hurt your self-esteem. But how often does that kind of talk come from the people who really love you versus people you don’t actually know?

As a Christian, we are called to put a stop to any devious talk, whether we are communicating through conversation, text, or written word. Check your speech and the motives behind what you say, text, or post before sharing it with the world around you. There will be a lot of pressure to say and do things just to get attention, but don’t ever let your need to be liked become more important than loving others and living how Christ wants you to live. Don’t forget that God loves you, no matter what anyone else says, and that His love will never stop chasing after you.

God also wants you to love your enemies as your friends and treat them nicely no matter how they treat you, so be careful with your actions because you never know how they might affect someone. When you show people God’s love, you have a chance to turn someone’s life in the right direction. So be a godly example to everyone around you because the world is watching to see what it means to be a Christian and you never know when something you do might change their lives.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

PS – We were going to write about Colossians 3:20, “Children obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord,” but the only reason we could think of for Paul writing that was to torture us, so we picked verse 8 instead.

What causes us to say things that are hurtful to others?

How does being “in Christ” change how you are affected by hurtful actions of others?

How can you “speak life” to others today?