In this passage, Paul questions the Christians if they have believed in vain, because there is a danger that our faith can become empty, and less fervent. Have you built your life on the Gospel? The Gospel changes everything. Does it change how you view everything in life? We are to remember the simplicity of the Gospel, and to be aware that we can fall away from this. Examine your heart--how firmly do you believe that Christ died for your sins, that He was buried, rose again, and was seen by others? The doctrines revolving around the Gospel should challenge our natural views. Wrestle with these questions. What are your true inner beliefs of the resurrection? Without the resurrection, our faith is useless and there is no salvation for man. I would only live for myself in the here and now, and we would have no hope. The resurrection is the power of God, so we can have a present confidence and assurance in what God has done. How does the truth of the resurrection affect how you live and think? The resurrection assures us that this life is not all that there is. This present security leads us to a greater responsibility--to love others, to do what is right, to call out what is wrong, and to call others to repentance. Because of the Gospel, we also know that our future is certain. This leads us to live now in freedom, investing our lives around the Gospel. As Christians, we understand our life in the context of the Gospel. All enemies in this life will be put under God’s feet. Have a vision of God’s future--He will destroy all things of sin, death and decay. We are going to inherit a different world. This should lead us to live in hope now!