His Death Brings Life

<p>During her ministry to men incarcerated in South Africa&rsquo;s most violent prison, Joanna Flanders-Thomas witnessed the power of Christ to transform hearts. In Vanishing Grace, Philip Yancey describes her experience: &ldquo;Joanna started visiting prisoners daily, bringing them a simple gospel message of forgiveness and reconciliation. She earned their trust, got them to talk about their abusive childhoods, and showed them a better way of resolving conflicts. The year before her visits began, the prison recorded 279 acts of violence against inmates and guards; the next year there were two.&rdquo;</p> <p>The apostle Paul wrote, &ldquo;If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come&rdquo; (2 Corinthians 5:17 nasb). While we may not always see that newness expressed as dramatically as Flanders-Thomas did, the gospel&rsquo;s power to transform is the greatest hope-providing force in the universe. New creations. What an amazing thought! The death of Jesus launches us on a journey of becoming like Him&mdash;a journey that will culminate when we see Him face to face (see 1 John 3:1&ndash;3). &nbsp;</p> <p>As believers in Jesus we celebrate our life as new creations. Yet we must never lose sight of what that cost Christ. His death brings us life. &ldquo;He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him&rdquo; (v. 21 nasb).&nbsp;</p>