April 4 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 15:29–34

Bible Text:

If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die" (1 Cor. 15:32).

Devotional:

People who believe death is the end of our existence have every excuse to live however they please: "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." Unbelievers think life is like eating cake—when it's finished, it's done. Some of them live according to their beliefs, behaving like animals. But the majority don't. Most unbelievers live better than their talk.

Why are their actions inconsistent with their convictions? The reason must be that in spite of what unbelievers say about life, they all come into contact with God's laws, which are woven into the fabric of human life. Even if they ignore the Lawgiver, they may still feel obliged to obey many of the laws. We can't shake off God's rules for human life and interpersonal relationships.

Christians should be thankful for this happy inconsistency on the part of many unbelievers. Unfortunately, most Christians don't live in accordance with their talk either. Our life should be consistent with our belief that the present life is only a prelude to the real song. Today we have the first taste of the real life, but we will enjoy the full flavor in the future.

The motto "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we may die" does not fit the Christian faith. Don't gather treasures where rust and moth can destroy them.

Instead, reach for the treasures that outlast the grave. Let our goals in life be consistent with our faith.

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.