April 1 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the beginning of a new life for all believers. It's also the pledge of our resurrection (1 Cor. 15). The study of Colossians is part of this month's meditations on the meaning of the resurrection.

Bible Reading:

1 Corinthians 15:1–11

Bible Text:

Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed (1 Cor. 15:11).

Devotional:

The congregation at Corinth tended to argue about minor matters. Contemporary Christians have the same inclination. We identify too closely with certain preachers, and we get too excited about certain spiritual gifts. These peripheral issues cause divisions among us.

Therefore we must be reminded that the heart of the gospel is not a set of ideas but a series of events. Christ died for our sins ... he was buried ... he rose again. This is what God has done in Jesus Christ. These are facts, not opinions.

In many North American small towns, the gospel is preached in at least half a dozen Christian churches. Each church represents a different denomination with its own heritage and perspective. But each affirms the basis of the Christian faith—that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Though Christians may differ in some applications of the Scripture, they all have the same foundation.

The early apostles also differed in their spiritual endowments and insights. But they shared one gospel: "Whether ... it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed." All Christians should stress the majors, on which they agree, rather than the minors on which they don't.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.