2 Bakorinta 2 - KBTP & CEVUS06

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come The old has gone, the new is here!

When Jesus rose from the dead, He didn’t just conquer sin and death. He also opened the door for us to live in a brand-new identity. We’re not who we used to be. We’ve been transformed, set apart, and empowered to live differently. Yet, in a world that constantly tries to define us, we need to be reminded of who God says we are.

Day 1: A New Creation

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Reflection:
You are not your past. You are not your failures, your mistakes, or even your greatest accomplishments. In Christ, you’ve been made new. The resurrection means that your old life is buried, and what rises with Him is a redeemed you.

Day 2: Chosen and Royal

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…”

Reflection:
You’re not invisible. God chose you. You have access to His presence like a royal priest, and He calls you His own. This isn’t based on how good you are, but on how gracious He is.

Day 3: Child of God

John 1:12 (NIV)
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Reflection:
The resurrection isn’t just an event, it’s the doorway to a relationship. You’re not just a believer, you’re a beloved child. You have a Father who delights in you.

Day 4: God’s Masterpiece

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…”

Reflection:
You were handcrafted by God, not mass-produced by the world. You were created for purpose, unique, intentional, and beautifully equipped to reflect His glory.

Day 5: Free and Forgiven

Romans 8:1 (NIV)
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection:
Shame is no longer your name. Condemnation no longer fits you. You’ve been forgiven, not because of your perfection, but because of His resurrection. Walk in freedom.

Day 6: Ambassador of Christ

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

Reflection:
Your identity comes with a mission. You represent heaven on earth. In how you love, speak, and serve, you’re carrying His message to a world in need.

Day 7: Victorious in Christ

Romans 8:37 (NIV)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Reflection:
Because He rose, you rise too, not just to survive, but to overcome. You’re not a victim of your circumstances. In Christ, you’re victorious. Always.

Conclusion

You may forget who you are at times. Life may try to define you by your lowest moments. But God sees you through the lens of His Son, risen, redeemed, and radiant. When we know who we are in Christ, we begin to live like it. And when we live like it, the world sees Him in us.

He canceled the unfavorable record of our debts with its binding rules and did away with it completely by nailing it to the cross. – Colossians 214 (GNT)

Easter is a time of deep reflection and celebration. It reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice and the incredible gift of salvation we have through His death and resurrection. The cross is more than a symbol—it is the turning point of history, where love overcame sin and life triumphed over death. Let’s explore seven key Bible verses that reveal the power and meaning of the cross.

1. The Cross Shows God’s Love

“But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!” – Romans 5:8 (GNT)

The cross is the greatest proof of God’s love. Jesus didn’t wait for us to be perfect; He gave His life while we were still lost in sin. His love is unconditional, reaching out to everyone, no matter their past.

2. The Cross Brings Forgiveness

“He canceled the unfavorable record of our debts with its binding rules and did away with it completely by nailing it to the cross.” – Colossians 2:14 (GNT)

Because of Jesus, our sins are wiped clean. The cross is where our burdens are lifted, where guilt is removed, and where we receive complete forgiveness. No sin is too great for God’s mercy!

3. The Cross Brings Peace

“And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.” – Colossians 1:20 (GNT)

Sin separated us from God, but the cross restored our relationship with Him. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are no longer enemies of God but His beloved children.

4. The Cross Gives Us New Life

“Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (GNT)

The cross is not the end—it is the beginning of new life. Jesus’ death and resurrection open the door for us to be transformed, leaving behind our past and stepping into a new identity in Christ.

5. The Cross Gives Us Victory

“And on the cross Christ freed himself from the power of the spiritual rulers and authorities; he made a public spectacle of them by leading them as captives in his victory procession.” – Colossians 2:15 (GNT)

What seemed like a defeat was actually a victory! On the cross, Jesus overcame sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Because of Him, we can walk in freedom, knowing that no force of evil can separate us from God.

6. The Cross is a Call to Follow

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me.'” – Matthew 16:24 (GNT)

Jesus invites us to take up our cross—not to suffer as He did, but to surrender fully to God’s will. True discipleship means letting go of selfish desires and living a life that honors Him.

7. The Cross Gives Us Eternal Life

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (GNT)

The cross is the bridge to eternal life. Jesus’ sacrifice was not just for this world, but for eternity. Through Him, we have the promise of life that never ends—a life in the presence of God forever.

Conclusion: Embracing the Power of the Cross

As we celebrate Easter, let’s not just remember the cross—let’s live in the power of what Jesus accomplished. The cross brings love, forgiveness, peace, new life, victory, and the hope of eternity.

This Easter, may we draw closer to Christ, embracing the fullness of His sacrifice and the joy of His resurrection. He is risen! Hallelujah!

1 Ndizo ndakapeleledza ndabona kuti ndisitjamukumbe kunowodwa kumuhwisa zogwadza kakale. 2 Ngobe ha ndingamuhwisa zogwadza, ndiani ungandishathisa kene, kuzhe kwenyu imwi bandahwisa zogwadza? 3 Ngono ndakakwala gumwe lukwalo sekwa ndakakwala ndisingashake, kuti ndisihwisiwe zogwadza ndi ibabo bakafanila kundishathisa, ngobe ndakabe ndina malebeswa nge kwenyu mose, kuti kushatha kwangu kowobe kushatha kwenyu mose. 4 Ndakamukwalila ndili mukudziyidzika, ndihwa zogwadza mu moyo, nditebula mishodzi kusi kuti ndimuhwise zogwadza, koga ili kumuzibisa ngekwe ludo gwandinago mu muli.

Kuzwiibhatigwa kwe n'gwadzisi

5 Ngono, ha mmwe akahwisa mmwe zogwadza, aazokuthama kundili, koga wakakuthamila imwi mose, kene bamwe benyu zwako. Ndoleba ikoku, ngobe anditoshaka kupaphidza. 6 Shamu yaalobgwa nge bunji gwenyu yakanlizana. 7 Ndizo ngwenu munzwiibhatigwe mun'nyaladze, kuti ndizo asikuligwe nge buyendasi gwakapindilila. 8 Ndomukumbila kuti munlakidze kakale kuti mon'da. 9 Ndakakwala lukwalo igoguje, ngobe ndakabe ndishaka kumulika ne kubona kene mondihwa mu tjimwe ne tjimwe. 10 Ani naani wamunonzwiibhatigwa namibo ndonzwiibhatigwabo; ngobe tjandanzwiibhatigwa mutjili, akuli kuti kuna tjandakafanila kunzwiibhatigwa, ndatjizwinbhatigwa mbeli kwa Kirisiti nge kwenyu. 11 Kudzibila Satani kuti asitibhatilepo, ngobe ate kuli kuti atitoziba njalakang'wa dzidze.

Kudziyidzika mu meya kwa Paulo

12 Ngwenu ndakati ndayenda ku Tiroasi kunosumikila ndebo mbuya ya Kirisiti, ndikawana She bandizhulila nkoba, 13 koga nkumbulo wangu ukasigadzikane, ngobe andizowana ikamu tjangu Tito ikoko. Ndizo ndakabawoneka apindila ku Makedoniya.

Kukunda ndi Kirisiti

14 Koga ngakubokwe Ndzimu, iwo unotitungamila misi yose mu kukunda ndi Kirisiti. Ndzimu unoyendisa zibo ye nnuhwo unozipa ngekwa Kirisiti kumwe ne kumwe ndiswi. 15 Ngobe ti nnuhwo unozipa wa Kirisiti unopiwa Ndzimu, muna ibabo banotjidziwa ne muna banoloba. 16 Kuna unolobesiwa ti nnuhwo we lufu, kuna unotjidziwa ti nnuhwo we butjilo. Ndiani ngono wakalizanila nshingo wakajali? 17 Iswi atitonga bunji gunoshaba nge dama le Ndzimu, koga ti bathu ba Kirisiti bakashanduka bana malebeswa, bakatumwa nge Ndzimu, tolebeleka mu mesho e Ndzimu muna Kirisiti.

1 I have decided not to make my next visit with you so painful. 2 If I make you feel bad, who would be left to cheer me up, except the people I had made to feel bad? 3 The reason I want to be happy is to make you happy. I wrote as I did because I didn't want to visit you and be made to feel bad, when you should make me feel happy. 4 At the time I wrote, I was suffering terribly. My eyes were full of tears, and my heart was broken. But I didn't want to make you feel bad. I only wanted to let you know how much I cared for you.

Forgiveness

5 I don't want to be hard on you. But if one of you has made someone feel bad, I am not really the one who has been made to feel bad. Some of you are the ones. 6 Most of you have already pointed out the wrong that person did, and this is punishment enough for what was done.

7 When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won't give up in despair. 8 You should make them sure of your love for them.

9 I also wrote because I wanted to test you and find out if you would follow my instructions. 10 I will forgive anyone you forgive. Yes, for your sake and with Christ as my witness, I have forgiven whatever needed to be forgiven. 11 I have done this to keep Satan from getting the better of us. We all know what goes on in his mind.

12 When I went to Troas to preach the good news about Christ, I found that the Lord had already prepared the way. 13 But I was worried when I didn't find my friend Titus there. So I left the other followers and went on to Macedonia.

14 I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume. 15-16 In fact, God thinks of us as a perfume that brings Christ to everyone. For people who are being saved, this perfume has a sweet smell and leads them to a better life. But for people who are lost, it has a bad smell and leads them to a horrible death.

No one really has what it takes to do this work. 17 A lot of people try to get rich from preaching God's message. But we are God's sincere messengers, and by the power of Christ we speak our message with God as our witness.