Listen

“Brothers and sisters, I know you acted in ignorance. So did your rulers. But this is how God fulfilled what he foretold through all the prophets: that his Christ would suffer. Change your hearts and lives! Turn back to God so that your sins may be wiped away."

Acts 3:17-19

Think

According to one poll, over 75% of U.S. Americans say they are Christians. Does that seem right to you? If 75% of the population is Christian, why are we bombarded with such horrible news every day? If 75% of our country’s business leaders were Christians, would they sacrifice everything for profit and power? Most of our nation’s politicians claim to be Christians, but look at how they treat one another. It just doesn’t seem to add up!

I wonder if some folks who claim to be Christian see it as more of a birth-right than a way of life. We can never know what is in someone else’s heart, and it’s not our responsibility to judge. But we do recognize that claiming the title Christian isn’t the same as living a life in Christ. In today’s passage, Peter said that Christ’s suffering was a result of the people’s and their rulers’ ignorance, then he called them to change their hearts and lives. What would Peter say today?

You are not ignorant of Christ’s sacrifice. You know deep in your heart that Christ loves you and wants you to share his love in everything you do. God knows it’s not easy… that’s why you’re never alone.

John McCrosky

Pray

In all I say and do, Lord, make me an instrument of your love. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Go

When we encounter Christ, we are changed. Our faith, our hopes, our actions. Nothing is left the same.

What would happen if all we did and said reflected this transformative work that the living God is doing in us? What further changes would take place in our own hearts and in the world around us?

Go now, being bold enough to hope in this change.