‘We look for the resurrection of the dead’ (Nicene Creed)
by Sal Huckel
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised (1 Corinthians 15:13).
I can’t go past the Nicene Creed as I select the Scripture for today: here, we have an absolutely essential truth of the faith.
Already, Paul in early church times needs to correct the false teaching that there is no resurrection of the dead. As Paul works through the logic here, we discover what the essential conclusion must be if this false teaching is true. It reminds me of a person I know who, in their professed Christian faith, also does not believe in the devil.
We cannot pick and choose which elements of our faith we believe.
I grew up on the Nicene Creed and Apostles’ Creed in my Anglican church school experience and the many choral services I was privileged to partake in. I had no discipleship or catechesis, but I could recite the creeds standing on my head. This is not a bad thing. Learning something like this means the Holy Spirit can bring truths to mind whenever he chooses.
One of the purposes of the creeds is to guard against error and false teaching. We discover in today’s reading the outworking of one false claim. Perhaps it reads like a riddle. Maybe you read it and skip over the words. Does Paul ever waste words? If he seems to be repeating something here, we must take note. Take some more time over today’s reading if you skipped it a little the first time. Even if you didn’t, go back and meditate again. Ask the Holy Spirit to use all he has at his disposal – from these readings and from your own history in the faith – to show you Truth today.
We find our hope here. We discover the outworking of Christ being raised from the dead …
‘… And the life of the world to come’ (Nicene Creed).
Lord, thank you for your simple truth. Help me appreciate the prayers written by the church fathers. Help me stay true to the faith and be aware of and challenge false teaching. Where I need to stay in your word or immerse myself more in it – make this the desire of my heart and help me put it into action. In the name of the resurrected Lord Jesus, I pray, Amen.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
