Wednesday, April 23, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: Acts 3
Most of us can look back on our lives and identify an event that acts like a pivot point. These are moments that change how you view the world. They can be personal, such as marriage or having children, or world events, like 9-11 or COVID.
But no event in history has had a more significant impact on humanity than the death and resurrection of Jesus. He is the ultimate pivot point.
On the surface, nothing changed from Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday. Rome still ruled the world, and most of the world was still oppressed by those richer and stronger. Physically, the world looked the same … but spiritually, everything changed.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, his fearful disciples became bold proclaimers of the gospel. They willingly suffered, many dying for his name. They went throughout the known world and revealed the hope of new life. As they travelled, they left a trail of converts, who in turn spread outward and multiplied. These new followers were also often tortured and killed, but they knew a far greater reward awaited them.
Jesus’ followers embodied the words of the apostle Paul as they turned from their old ways of life and embraced the way of the cross.
Galatians 2:20
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
So where does that leave us today? If you have made a commitment to follow Jesus, that is the pivot point of your life. You can look back on your life as before Christ and after Christ.
Being made new in Christ does not mean that we will no longer sin, but it does mean that we need to intentionally say “No!” to sin. It means that when we do sin, we repent of that sin and turn from it.
We, followers of Jesus, cannot continue to live like those of the world. We must deny ourselves, crucifying our old selves and living like new creations through Christ.
That is why Jesus came - to free us from the power of sin, which leads to death, and to bring us into freedom through him, which leads to life.
Questions:
Can you identify a time when you gave your life to Christ?
Does your life look different because of that commitment?
What are the sins in your life that you need to deny and bring to the cross?
Next Steps:
If you are struggling with a particular sin, find a trusted friend to confess it to. Accountability is an important step in breaking free from a difficult sin.
Attend our next sermon series to continue to discover what it looks like to live like Jesus.
Prayer:
Precious Jesus, thank you for coming to your sinful people and showing us what it looks like to live a life of freedom. Thank you for your gracious sacrifice that allows me to be freed from the sin that keeps me in bondage. Help me to take my sins to the cross and deny myself so that I may honor you with my life. I pray that when others see me, they see you. Amen.
Theme Verse:
Ephesians 1:7
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
This post was written by Julie Mabus, a Whitehouse attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.