Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. Today, we consider how at the return of Christ, we will be raised and glorified.
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‘To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 1:1-6)
During our devotionals this week, we’ve very briefly reflected on some very important teachings of grace; we’ve looked at how God initiates our salvation, how He keeps us and how He will complete the work of salvation. Today, we will be briefly considering what is meant by ’the day of Christ Jesus’, when, at that time, we are told that God will complete His work in us.
As we get older, certainly in my case, we become more aware of the changing seasons. When I was a child, I never really noticed the lengthening or shortening of the days as summer passed to winter. I simply lived each day not really noticing the small changes to how much light or darkness there was. However, now, I’m acutely aware of the, it seems to me, fast moving changes that the seasons bring about. This should surely be reflected in our awareness of the return of Christ. As we mature, this ultimate change, our being with Christ in glory, should become the backdrop to our lives. We are in The Last Days and the ‘dusk’ of this era; this truth is to inspire us to live with the urgency and the hope that the coming of the ‘day of Christ’ gives.
The day of Christ Jesus is a reference to Jesus’ return. There are various views and much complexity regarding the return of Christ, but, today, I want us to recall that, whatever our views, we must all agree that Jesus is coming to restore and judge, and we are to be awake and ready! We are warned:
‘Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4)
We are told that at Jesus’ return, God will complete the work that He has begun in us. The work that was ‘predestined’ by God will be completed at Jesus’ coming. In His defence of Jesus’ resurrection, Paul teaches extensively on our resurrection that will take place on the ‘day of Christ’:
‘Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15: 52-55)
Response
In response, are we aware and awake to the coming of Christ? We are urged:
‘And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.’ (Romans 13:11)
Are we confident that we will enjoy glory because It’s God who will complete the work in us? Is it inspiring us to live for another world? Is it inspiring us to seek to reach those who face judgement? Is it inspiring us to be ready and pleasing to our coming Saviour, on the ‘day of Christ’?
Community group notes and study
Groups will begin again in the week beginning 16th September. If you do meet with your group, feel free to use any of the devotionals as a basis for your study.
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