Jun. 14, 2026 - Salvation through Christ

There's something deeply human about our love for rules. We create them for our children to keep them safe. We follow them on the road to protect ourselves and others. We appreciate the structure they bring to our lives. Rules give us a sense of control, a clear path forward, a way to measure whether we're doing things "right."

But what if our relationship with God was never meant to be primarily about following rules?

In the early days of Christianity, a significant debate emerged in the church at Rome. Some teachers insisted that to truly follow Christ, believers first needed to become Jewish—following all the laws, rituals, and commandments of the Old Testament. Salvation, they argued, came through perfect obedience to God's rules.

The Apostle Paul confronted this teaching head-on in his letter to the Romans. His challenge was profound: If we could become one with God simply by following rules, then what was the point of Jesus?

This question cuts to the core of Christian faith. If rule-following was enough, why did Jesus need to take on human flesh? Why did He need to live among us, teach us, suffer for us, die on a cross, and rise from the dead? If we could earn our way to God through perfect obedience, the entire story of Jesus becomes unnecessary.

Let's be honest about something: we're not very good at following rules, even when we want to. How many times have you faced a choice where you knew exactly what God would want you to do, but you also knew what you really wanted to do? That internal battle is the human condition.

We have rules precisely because we break them. Speed limits exist because people speed. Laws against theft exist because people steal. The Ten Commandments exist because humanity has a persistent tendency to do the opposite of what they command.

This is why a faith based solely on rule-following becomes an exercise in frustration and failure. We simply cannot, in our own strength, perfectly obey our way into God's presence. Our human nature works against us at every turn.

When we read Romans chapter 5, we encounter a crucial phrase that has been translated in two different ways: "faith in Christ" or "the faithfulness of Christ." While both translations carry truth, the second opens up a transformative perspective.

Consider what the faithfulness of Christ actually means:

• Christ faithfully took on human flesh and lived among us for thirty-three years
• Christ faithfully showed us the way, the truth, and the life through His teachings and example
• Christ faithfully went to the cross, enduring torture and mockery
• Christ faithfully died for us—even while we were still sinners, still breaking rules, still turning away
• Christ faithfully rose from the dead, demonstrating God's impossible power
• Christ faithfully ascended to heaven, promising to return

This isn't about what we do. This is about what Christ has already done.

So if becoming one with God isn't about perfectly following rules, what is it about? It's about allowing the character of Christ to shape us from the inside out.

Think about how transformation actually happens in relationships. When you spend time with someone you admire—someone patient, kind, generous, and loving—their qualities begin to influence you. You don't become like them through gritted-teeth effort to follow a list of their behaviors. You become like them through relationship, through observation, through allowing their presence to change you.

This is the invitation Christ extends to us: to look at Him, to spend time with Him, to allow His character to rub off on us.

Jesus was someone who:

• Put others first consistently
• Served without expecting anything in return
• Sacrificed Himself for people who didn't deserve it
• Loved even those who mocked, denied, and killed Him
• Forgave unconditionally

When we respond to His invitation and allow His love to work in us, we begin to reflect these same qualities—not through white-knuckled rule-following, but through genuine transformation.

We humans are like water, naturally seeking the path of least resistance. We gravitate toward what's comfortable, familiar, and easy. This is why many of us prefer focusing on certain favorite Bible passages while avoiding the challenging ones. It's why we'd rather have a checklist of dos and don'ts than wrestle with the mysterious, transformative love of God.

But real faith calls us beyond our comfort zones. It challenges us to engage with all of who God is, not just the parts we find convenient. It invites us into a relationship that's far more demanding—and far more rewarding—than simple rule-following could ever be.

You might remember the "What Would Jesus Do?" movement, with its ubiquitous bracelets. While it may have become a cultural phenomenon, the question itself points to something profound. When we face decisions, challenges, and relationships, asking "What would Jesus do?" isn't about following a rule. It's about inviting the character of Christ to inform our choices.

Would Jesus respond with anger or patience? Would He prioritize His own comfort or serve others? Would He hold a grudge or forgive? Would He judge or love?

These aren't abstract theological questions. They're intensely practical invitations to allow Christ's faithfulness to shape our daily lives.

Here's the liberating truth: You don't have to earn God's love. You can't earn God's love. The work has already been done. Christ has already bridged the gap between holy God and flawed humanity.

What remains is simply your response. Will you accept this gift? Will you allow this love to transform you? Will you let the character of Christ shape who you're becoming?

This is faith—not perfect obedience to rules, but trust in the One who was perfectly obedient for us. It's allowing His faithfulness to cover our faithlessness. It's responding to His invitation to become more like Him, not through our own striving, but through His power working in us.

The rules haven't disappeared. But they've found their proper place—not as the means of salvation, but as guideposts on a journey we take with the One who loves us beyond measure, forgives us without condition, and empowers us to live lives that reflect His character.

That's the freedom of faith. That's the invitation of grace. That's the transformative power of allowing Christ's faithfulness to become the foundation of our lives.