At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, our mission is to “Be the Change” as Jesus has changed us. We do this by “Just 3”: Study, Share, and Serve. We study to love and know God, share to know and love others, and serve to love in action. Today, we address the universal struggle with sin and the unfailing love of God that rescues us.
The Reality of Sin
Romans 5:8 (ESV) says, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Notice it says “us.” This is not just a historical statement but a present reality. Jesus died for you and me, even though we are often chasing temporary highs and living busy lives focused on our own dreams. These pursuits are temporary, but God’s love is eternal.
Personal Reflection
Even today, when I look in the mirror, I often wonder why God loved me enough to save me. I’m just a young kid from Canal Fulton. But God’s love is not based on our worthiness; it is based on His grace. Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV) says, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
Scriptural Foundation
Romans 3:23-24 (ESV) says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” This universal struggle with sin is something we all experience, but God’s grace is greater than our sin. He loves us even when we are brokenhearted and sinful.
The Transformative Power of Jesus
When you have Jesus in your heart, everything changes. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Jesus transforms us from the inside out, offering us a new life filled with hope, love, and purpose.
Study, Share, Serve
- Study: To understand the depth of God’s love and the reality of our sin, we must study the Word of God. Psalm 119:105 (ESV) says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” By studying the Bible, we gain insight into God’s character and His plan for our lives.
- Share: Sharing our struggles and the transformative power of Jesus is essential. James 5:16 (ESV) says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” By sharing, we build a community of support and encouragement.
- Serve: Serving others, especially those struggling with sin, is a powerful way to demonstrate God’s love. Matthew 25:40 (ESV) says, “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'” Serving is an act of love and a testament to our faith.
Conclusion
Today, you have the opportunity to embrace the unfailing love of God and experience His transformative power. Romans 6:1-4 (ESV) asks us the burning question when it comes to sin and grace: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
If you’ve already accepted Christ, then He has rescued you, and it’s time to be free and live the life He wants you to live—life to its fullest. If not, it all starts with surrender, acknowledging that you need rescue, and opening your heart to change your life. Jesus is in the saving business, and He wants all the world to come to know Him.
He’s here to take your canned life off the shelf, open it up, and start shaping you into the person He wants you to be. Embrace His love, study His Word, share your journey, and serve others with the love of Christ.
