For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins  (1 Corinthians 15:16-17).

Your faith is futile.

You are still in your sins.

Those words terrify me.

Many moons ago, I was visiting a church. During the worship service, a young woman was sharing some original poetry. The poem came from the heart of someone who had known betrayal and deceit, and it was addressed to God. The poem asked God, in essence,

What if I give you my whole heart, and it turns out you’re not real?

I don’t remember the exact words, but I remember the effect they had on me.

Much the same effect as this verse.

Praise God that he is real, and the resurrection true.

No, seriously–praise him for that today.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved