Weekly Tip #14, December 10, 2015
One thing that has crossed all of our minds is that we are living in increasingly dangerous times. If you have been watching the news, gunman killed 129 people and left 350 wounded throughout Paris. In San Bernardino, 14 were killed.
One of the thoughts that crossed my mind was how many lives that were tragically cut short, had not taken the opportunity to consider the claims of Christ and make a decision to trust Him? How many will go on into eternity and miss the riches of heaven. This is a very sobering thought.
How should we respond? We can retreat in fear, get a doomsday mentality, or put our future plans on hold. For believers whom Christ has transformed and who have their hope firmly in Him, there is a greater opportunity here. First, consider these passages below:
2 Corinthians 5:14, 18-21
14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Use Every Opportunity
This is a prime opportunity to engage people in the current events and turn the conversation to the Gospel message. Don’t just talk about the events, but use this time to share the message of the cross and our forgiveness in Christ – He is the answer. Consider in your next weekly meeting/Bible study to answer the question:
“Where is God in the midst of tragedy?” Read this article in Everystudent.com for an excellent perspective.
Use every opportunity to proclaim the Gospel. That is the best message we can share when people become confused with life’s problems. Give them Jesus.
Plan Carefully for your Spring Term
Here is a weekly tip in archives that will help you as you plan for your Spring term and hit the ground running. Check it out here.
Talk to you in 2016,
Ben with Cru