Last Supper - Matthew 26:26-29    And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” ²⁷ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying. "Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. ²⁹ But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

When we truly understand what the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus was all about we will be able to share with others why we have such great hope and faith in our salvation and what awaits us upon our death into living with God forever in eternal life.  John 11:25  “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”

1 Peter 3:14-15  “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” ¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

2 Timothy 4:2-5  “ Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure  sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Here are five words to share with others who may be curious about our faith.

Redeemed   As true followers of Jesus Christ we have been freed from the bondage of sin and death. 1 Peter 1:18-19 “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from our aimless conduct received by tradition from our fathers, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.  

Forgiven   All our sins, from our past, present and future have been washed away by the precious blood of Christ as found in Ephesians 1:7-8 “ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and understanding”  Jesus Christ said to us in John 3:16 ^“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Justified  Everyone who trusts and believes that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead  will be declared not guilty in the eyes of God.  Romans 5:1-9  "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and  rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Reconciled   As true followers of Christ we have been brought into a relationship with God. Colossians 1:19-22 " For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell ²⁰ and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross."  ²¹ And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled  ²² in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.

 2 Corinthians 5:17-19   Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  ²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Sanctified   True followers of Christ have been justified, redeemed, forgiven and reconciled and now are in the process of sanctification where through the Holy Spirit are being made to become more Christlike as we trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Hebrews 13:12  “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate”.   To sanctify is to be made holy and set apart for service and worship toward God.   

Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”  Jesus Christ speaking to Saul, the persecutor of new believers in Jesus Christ, and for him to become the preacher of the Gentiles and unbelieving Jews.   This all happened as Saul was on the Damascus Road and Jesus converted Him to become the great Apostle Paul who spoke the truth of Jesus Christ and His words to an unbelieving world.  This regeneration and conversion all began in Acts 9.

Hebrews 9:14 “ How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God ?”

1 Corinthians 6:11   "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."

John 17:15-19  “ I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. ¹⁸ As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.”    The very words of Jesus Christ as He spoke in prayer to God the Father for the sake of His disciples and for all who place their faith and trust in Him. 

So many verses speak the truth and good news of the gospel so ask God to embed them into your hearts and the Holy Spirit will bring them to mind when the need arises.  So amazing is the power of God’s words to change one’s thoughts, attitudes and behaviors.   

Being able to tell our stories about how we have become true followers of Christ is how we serve God.  We don’t have to have all the answers nor do we need to be a scholar or a pastor to share with others what Christ has done for us.  May we live in the grace and in the presence of our Lord and Savior everyday and when the opportunity comes along be willing to share our faith with others. 

Acknowledgement - Much of this blog came from In Touch Ministries Devotional  April 2023.  Charles Stanley, pastor, founder and publisher.

Start today – Don’t delay and change your life - Let the power of God’s words speak to you and be filled with a peace and joy beyond measure.  

Find additional inspiration and encouragement found in the books “Finding Calm in the Storm of Everyday Living” or “Heart and Soul” either going to Amazon directly or hitting home at the top of this blog and scrolling down to the books.