The Clear Path of the Gospel: Unity in Diversity

At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, our mission is to “Be the Change as Jesus has changed us.” We live out this mission through our “Just 3” initiative: Study, Share, and Serve. We study to love and know God, share to know and love others, and serve to put love into action. In today’s blog post, we explore the clear path of the Gospel and the call for unity in diversity, as highlighted in Jim’s sermon on the book of Romans.

The Romans Road: A Clear Path to Salvation

The book of Romans provides one of the clearest presentations of the Gospel message in Scripture. Often referred to as the “Romans Road,” this series of verses outlines the path to salvation. Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This verse sets the stage by acknowledging our universal need for salvation.

Romans 6:23 continues, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Here, Paul contrasts the consequences of sin with the gift of eternal life through Jesus. Romans 5:8 further emphasizes God’s love: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Finally, Romans 10:9-10 provides the response required for salvation: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Unity in Diversity

Jim highlighted the unique composition of the Roman church, which included both Jews and Gentiles. This diversity presented challenges but also opportunities for unity. In Romans 12:4-5, Paul writes, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

The Call for Unity

Throughout the book of Romans, Paul pleads for unity, not based on privilege or pride, but for the sake of Christ. Ephesians 2:14-16 explains how Jesus broke down the dividing wall of hostility, creating one new humanity: “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”

Study: To Love and Know God

Studying God’s Word helps us understand the importance of unity in the body of Christ. John 17:20-21 records Jesus’ prayer for unity: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

Share: To Know and Love Others

Sharing our faith and our lives with others fosters unity. Acts 4:32 describes the early church: “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.” By sharing, we build a sense of community and mutual support.

Serve: Love in Action

Serving others is a powerful way to demonstrate unity. Galatians 6:10 encourages us, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Serving allows us to put our love into action, meeting the needs of our diverse community.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in fostering unity. 1 Corinthians 12:13 states, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” The Holy Spirit unites us, empowering us to live out our faith in harmony.

The Importance of Humility

Humility is essential for maintaining unity. Philippians 2:3-4 instructs us, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” By practicing humility, we create an environment where unity can thrive.

Conclusion

At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we are committed to fostering unity in diversity. Through our “Just 3” initiative—Study, Share, and Serve—we strive to build a community that reflects the love and unity of Christ. By studying God’s Word, sharing our faith, and serving others, we fulfill our mission to “Be the Change as Jesus has changed us.” Let us embrace the clear path of the Gospel and work together to build a united, loving community.