The Wonder of Grace: Not Good People—Just Forgiven

More Than Good People: Rediscovering Christian Identity

At Lakeview Christian Church, our mission isn’t about appearing perfect or teaching moral lessons from a distance. As Pastor Jim said so memorably in a recent sermon:

“Christians aren’t a bunch of good people telling bad people how to be good. We’re a bunch of forgiven nobodies trying to tell everybody about a somebody who can save anybody.”

This truth cuts to the heart of the gospel. The story of Jesus isn’t about bad people becoming good through their own effort, but about dead people being brought to life by the love and mercy of God. We are witnesses, not because we are flawless, but because we have experienced forgiveness and transformation.

The God Who Knows and Loves Us

Psalm 139 (ESV) declares this astonishing reality:

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! … Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. … I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
(Psalm 139:1, 4, 14 ESV)

God knows everything about us—our failures, fears, regrets, and even the things we hide from others. Yet, as Jim reminded us, “the God who knows everything about us loves us, and he continues to come after us in spite of every failure, secret fear, weakness, regret, sin.”

This is the wonder of grace. The cross of Christ declares to every heart, “I love you.” The empty tomb declares, “I make you new.” And the ongoing presence of God assures us, “You’ll never have to walk alone.”

Forgiven to Be the Change

At Lakeview Christian Church, our calling is summed up in three simple, but powerful, practices—“Just 3”:

• Study: Study to love and know God.
  We dive into Scripture, not to gather facts, but to meet the living God who loves us. As the psalmist says,“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (Psalm 139:23 ESV)
  We invite God to transform us—because only He can.
• Share: Share to know and love others.
  Our faith isn’t meant to stay private. Forgiven people share their stories. As Jim said, “We are a bunch of forgiven nobodies trying to tell everybody about a somebody who can save anybody.” This echoes the Great Commission:“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19 ESV)
• Serve: Serve—love in action.
  Our faith comes alive when we serve others. Jesus modeled this perfectly:“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 ESV)
  We serve because Christ first served us, and in doing so, we become the change we want to see in our community.

Living Out the Mission: “Be the Change”

When we embrace who we are in Christ—flawed but forgiven, weak but loved—real transformation happens. This is why Lakeview Christian Church’s mission is “Be the Change as Jesus Has Changed Us.” It’s not about self-improvement. It’s about surrendering to the One who changes hearts.

Paul puts it this way:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

Our church isn’t a showcase for saints, but a hospital for sinners. We gather not because we have it together, but because we’re being put together by the grace of God.

The Invitation: Will You Respond?

Are you tired of trying to measure up? Exhausted by pretending or performing? The good news is that Jesus invites us to come as we are. The cross is the place where our failures meet God’s forgiveness, and the empty tomb is where our old stories end and new life begins.

At Lakeview Christian Church, we invite you to join us on this journey. Whether it’s your first step or your thousandth, there’s a place for you here. Study with us. Share your story. Serve in love. Let’s “Be the Change” together—not because we’re good, but because Jesus is.