Different Paths, Same God

I listened to a radio sermon the other day. The preacher—an articulate, knowledgeable Presbyterian minister—asked his congregation to write down “the five bullet points that define Christianity.” The road to salvation.

I learned a thing or two from the sermon, as I usually do. But this preacher’s narrow and severe approach—centered on sin and fear—has never brought me closer to God. For years, it sent me in the opposite direction. I worship at a Presbyterian church today, yet I’m sure my faith would not flourish at his.

I’m grateful that many people find Jesus through sermons like his. And I’m especially grateful that I found a church home with a different approach to discovering the same God.

God’s assurance is that He loves each and every one of us, and His promise is that when we seek, we will find. Like most journeys, there is more than one route to the destination.

To be clear: I believe the same foundational truths that this preacher affirms—that Jesus came to reconcile us with God, and that He rose from the dead not to dazzle, but to demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that He was who He said He was- the Son of God, sent by the Father to transform the world. And so He did.

If some of what you hear in the name of Christianity turns you away—because it feels punitive or mean-spirited—don’t give up. If the message doesn’t resonate in your heart- if it fails to reflect God’s love for you, or love for others, keep listening. Keep looking. There is a message—and a community—where you will find God.

More than 35 years ago, I stumbled into such a community that led me to Jesus—a place that welcomes questions, embraces mystery, and, above all, elevates His core message of love and inclusion.

The tension between judgment and grace, between separation and inclusion isn’t new. It’s been there since the beginning. A few Sundays ago, we studied one of the Apostle Paul’s letters—some of the earliest Scripture in the Bible, written even before the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John. Though Paul met Jesus only in a vision, Scripture tells us that he learned from those who were with Jesus during his ministry: Peter, James, and John.

In one of Paul’s earliest letters—written before our faith even had its name—he addresses the church at Galatia (modern-day Turkey). He writes that the “Law” of the day, which was a system of religious dos and don’ts, had become a rigid dividing wall—separating people into the “righteous” and the “unclean.” His message to the fledgling church at Galatia is about a new “Way” that Jesus makes possible: This is from Galatians 3:

“Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So, the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

So, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Paul reminds us again and again that “we are all one in Christ Jesus.” This sounds more like an open invitation than a fixed set of bullet points. That’s a good reminder—especially today.

And while some of Paul’s views don’t translate easily to modern ears—about women and same-sex relationships, for instance—his central theme is consistent: that Jesus welcomes everyone – “all one in Christ Jesus.”

No matter our unique journey, an unbreakable relationship with the Divine awaits. The path is already paved. He knows we're searching. And He’s keeping the light on.

The song pairing is “Shout it!” Until next time, stay safe, be brave, and keep walking in the light.

Shout It!
I got some good news to tell you
Shout it, shout it
Somebody loves you,
no doubt about it

Well, the body of Christ come to save our souls
it’s the greatest story that’s ever been told
the body of Christ come to save our souls
He said you are the fingers and you are the toes

I got some good news to tell you
Shout it, shout it
Somebody loves you,
no doubt about it

Now the grass will wither and the flowers will fade
but you and me brother, we got it made
now they may be pretty and they may be clever
but the word of God, well it stands forever.

I got some good news to tell you…