LIGHTHOUSE DAILY DEVOTION
(Sent daily except Sunday)
(Some of the Devotions are original, some are adapted)
December 14, 2020
TRANSFORMED THROUGH DEATH
I Corinthians 15:36-37 - “Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:”
This morning I was speaking by telephone with a pastor in Missouri. He is 89 years old and has the Covid virus. He was just sent home after being in the hospital for a good while, he could barely talk and was in a lot of pain. He said he was ready to meet the Lord and he hoped that it would be soon. Our text tells us that something must die before it can be resurrected: “that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die.” When a seed is sown, a new plant will emerge and fruit will be produced. With faith, the seed is committed to the ground. However, before the plant can appear the seed must die so the plant can be formed. This brother is looking forward to his new life with Christ.
The same is true in our spiritual life. A transformation has to take place in our bodies before they are resurrected to be eternally with God in Heaven. Before our bodies are quickened, they must also die. When we die, our spirit goes immediately to be with the Lord. In reality, we never die. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” (John 11:25). The same principle of death applies to our daily walk. In order for us to live the life that God has planned for us, we must first die to self.
Another wonderful promise is also contained in our scripture. The seed that is sown is not the same in appearance and essence as the body that will appear. “And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be.” When one plants an apple seed, an entire tree with many apples will one day grow. When it comes time for each of us to die and our body is placed in the grave, it is not the same body that will one day be resurrected. The body that will be quickened will be a glorified body. It will not contain the sinful desires of our present body. It will be a body free from disease and pain, and fitted for Heaven. Halleluiah
************
Wit and Wisdom – Eternal life is the message of the resurrected Christ.
Point to Ponder - Living your life is a task so difficult, it has never been attempted before.
