The Transformative Power of Grace: A Statement of Faith (03/27/'24) -Statement

The Transformative Power of Grace: A Statement of Faith In our quest for meaning and purpose, we often face the pivotal question: What do we truly seek? This introspection leads us to the heart of our spiritual journey, revealing that the transformation of the human spirit comes at a significant price—the crucifixion. It is a testament to the lengths required to reconcile our willful deviation from the path of righteousness. The Scriptures offer profound insight into this transformation. Romans 5:20-21 articulates a divine paradox: "The law was introduced so that trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more..." This reveals an overarching truth—that amidst our transgressions, God’s grace abounds even more, offering us a pathway to eternal life through Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living..." (Luke 20:38), affirming the promise of life eternal for those who find their existence in Him. This juxtaposition of life and death underscores a fundamental choice: to embrace life in Christ or to bear the weight of our own existential demise. At the core of our faith is the cross—a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice, where He bore the sins of humanity to reconcile us with God. This event is not merely an historical act of suffering but the manifestation of God's profound love for us. It is through the cross that redemption and grace flow, offering us a bridge to cross from death to life, from separation to reunion with the Divine. The cross invites us to forsake the transient allure of this world for the enduring promise of life in Christ. Galatians 6:14 encapsulates this call: "May I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..." It is a declaration of our commitment to live by the principles of grace and sacrifice, recognizing that our true fulfillment and purpose are found in the shadow of the cross. This statement of faith challenges us to view ourselves as "dead to sin, but alive in Christ," embracing the transformative power of grace. It is a call to live not as passive observers but as active participants in the divine narrative of redemption, bearing the message of the cross not as a burden, but as the beacon of hope and liberation. As followers of Christ, we are invited to navigate the journey of life with the cross as our compass, finding in it the source of all grace, love, and eternal life. This is the essence of our faith—the transformative power of grace that beckons us to a life beyond the confines of death, into the everlasting embrace of God’s love. Pastor Steven G. Lee (March 27,2024)