Transformed – teen devotion – May 26, 2019
But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:35, 42-47
Easter swagger
Did you ever transform a plain white egg into a work of art? You know, the dying of Easter eggs. Do you remember the pride you felt, if one of your parents complemented your egg?
Jesus transformed our bland and basic lives into works of art. We weren’t very pretty. Our lives daily cracked and broke by the consequences of our sins. Our inner hearts smelled of the stench of sin. How incredible that God’s powerful love transformed us. Easter displays the handiwork of Christ who cleansed of sin and made us holy. Like colorful dyed eggs, we reflect what Jesus has already made us on the inside. We do that through works of service and works of love that the rest of the world can see. Our motivation starts from the inside and slowly works its way out to our outward appearance like the colorful dye on the egg.
Someday, God promises another transformation. Just as Jesus was resurrected with a glorious body on Easter, God will ornament our bodies into the works of art that will last forever! As we put off the worldly bodies, we will be renewed and regenerated with glorified bodies and a spiritual perfection. You will be God’s perfect work of art!
Prayer: Savior of eternal transformation, we thank you for removing our sin and guilt so that we can boast about our new spiritual condition. Lead us to accept our new calling as transformed sinners by your grace. Encourage us to look forward to the transformation of our bodies and souls when you accept us into our eternal home in heaven. Amen.
