Some years ago, I was talking with my Muslim neighbor, Ibrahim, when he shared something I will never forget: “I have put my trust in Jesus as Savior, and I feel like a new man.” Ibrahim’s experience beautifully reflects the words of the apostle Paul: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”—2 Corinthians 5:17–18

About twenty years ago, I traveled to the country of Kyrgyzstan where I taught two courses in the capital city of Bishkek. I was teaching...