At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we are continually reminded of the profound truth that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, provided the only way for our reconciliation through His Son, Jesus Christ. This divine plan of salvation is the cornerstone of our faith and the foundation upon which we build our lives.
The Only Way: Jesus Christ
In the grand narrative of redemption, God knew that humanity was in desperate need of a Savior. Our sin had created an insurmountable barrier between us and our Creator. Yet, in His mercy, God provided the only way to bridge this gap—through the sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.”
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was like laying dynamite at the base of our sin, obliterating the power it held over us. Through His death, He dealt with sin once and for all, offering us the hope of reconciliation and justification. This is why we sing about the blood and the crucifixion—because without them, we could not be reconciled to God.
The Power of the Resurrection
However, the story does not end at the cross. The resurrection of Jesus is equally vital to our faith. It is through His victory over death that we are assured of eternal life. As Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” The resurrection is the seal of our salvation, confirming that Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient and complete.
Communion: A Time of Reflection and Gratitude
As we gather for communion at Lakeview, we are invited to reflect on the magnitude of what God has done for us. Communion is a sacred time to remember that God has paid the price for everything we have done, everything we will do today, and everything we will do for the rest of our lives. It is a moment to humble ourselves, to confess our faith, and to embrace the gift of salvation through baptism.
A Call to Action: Be the Change
Our mission at Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes is to “Be the Change” as Jesus has changed us. This transformation begins with accepting the reconciliation and salvation offered through Christ. As we study His Word, share His love, and serve others, we become living testimonies of His grace.
In Romans 12:1-2, Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is our spiritual act of worship, a response to the incredible gift of salvation we have received.
Conclusion: Embrace the Gift
As we continue our journey of faith, let us hold fast to the hope we have in Jesus. Let us embrace the gift of reconciliation and live lives that reflect His love and grace. At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we are committed to being the change in our community, empowered by the transformative power of the cross and the resurrection. May we always remember that through Christ, we are reconciled, justified, and eternally loved. Amen.
