DAY 2
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come.
THOUGHT
The year is 1994, and the place was the nation of Rwanda, where most of the population is Christian. In only 100 days, over 800,000 Tutsis were killed in an attempted genocide by extremist Hutus. Shockingly, many of the mass murders happened at churches. Places of worship where both Tutsis and Hutus had worshiped together now became a place of unspeakable atrocities. As the persecuted minority sought safety in churches, their brothers in Christ alerted the extremist militia of their presence.
How was this possible? A Rwandan Catholic Bishop summed it up well by saying, “We did a great job of winning people to the church, but not to Christ.” The “church” can’t change hearts, but Christ can. As followers of Christ, we have good news and hope that the world desperately needs! It’s not religion; it’s a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, so we might have a right relationship with the Almighty.
ACTION
1. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” What is your testimony and the reason for the hope you have? How has Christ changed your life? How has he given you peace in the midst of a storm? Take time to write out a 15-30 second testimony.
2. Share your testimony with someone.
PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for becoming the penalty for sin so that I may have a right relationship with you. It’s nothing I’ve earned or nothing I deserved. You gave it freely, and my eternal life with you began the moment I accepted you. Open doors and give me the opportunity to boldly share with others the reason for the hope I have in You. Amen.