April 7 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 15:51–58

Bible Text:

We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed (1 Cor. 15:51).

Devotional:

When he says we won't all sleep, the apostle means not all Christians will die before the Lord returns. Falling asleep is the Bible's image for the dying of Christians.

But, Paul says, "we will all be changed." Believers who are alive when Christ returns will be changed "in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye."

We must all be prepared for a glorious new life with God. Living in the new creation will require a complete overhaul. Our sinful thoughts, words, and deeds must be eradicated, and our mortal existence must be changed. When we receive our glorious bodies, we will never be ill or die. Jesus is already in that glorious state. And all those for whom he died and rose will share the life he now lives.

The Spirit of God is not satisfied with a few alterations. As the Spirit implements God's long-range plan for renovation, even death is part of the strategy. By death God performs the final surgery on most of his children. And the few who are living when Christ returns will receive the ultimate change, "in a flash."

Our daily struggle against sin and our daily conversion to God are not hopeless efforts as we strive to become better people. These tiny changes and stubborn attempts are evidences that Christ is working out his ultimate goal in us. He has changed us, he is changing us, and we shall be changed.

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.