One God, One Race, One Love: Rediscovering the Foundations of Faith

In the early days of Christianity, a pivotal question arose: What does it truly mean to be saved, and how should new believers live out their faith? This question, rooted in ancient history, remains profoundly relevant today.
The journey of faith begins with a simple yet powerful truth: salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. As Jesus himself said, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:29). This foundational belief sets Christianity apart, emphasizing that our relationship with God is not based on our own efforts or adherence to a set of rules, but on our trust in His love and mercy.
However, this doesn't mean that our actions are irrelevant. The apostle Paul beautifully articulates this balance in Ephesians 2:8-10: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
So, if we're saved by faith, but called to good works, what should those works look like? The early church wrestled with this question, particularly as the gospel spread beyond its Jewish roots to Gentile believers. They sought to distill the essence of faithful living into core principles that would guide new Christians without burdening them with the full weight of Jewish law.
Their wisdom, relevant then and now, can be summarized in three key areas:

1. One God: The first and most crucial principle is the worship of the one true God. This echoes the first two of the Ten Commandments: have no other gods and make no idols. In our modern context, this challenges us to examine what we truly prioritize in our lives. Do we place our career, our reputation, or even our families above our relationship with God? While these things aren't inherently wrong, they become problematic when they take God's rightful place in our hearts.

The early church expressed this principle through two specific instructions: don't drink blood and don't eat food sacrificed to idols. While these may seem strange to us today, they carry deep spiritual significance. Blood represents life, which belongs to God alone. By abstaining from blood, believers acknowledged God as the author and giver of life. Similarly, avoiding food sacrificed to idols was a way of rejecting false gods and affirming loyalty to the one true God.
For us today, this principle invites us to consider: What "idols" might we be unknowingly worshipping? What aspects of our lives compete for the devotion that should belong to God alone?

2. One Race: The human race, created in God's image, holds a unique place in creation. This was symbolized by the instruction not to eat meat from strangled animals. While this may seem like an odd dietary restriction, it carried a profound message: humans are called to a higher standard of behavior, even in how we treat animals and the rest of creation.

This principle reminds us of our role as stewards of God's creation. We are called to treat the world and its creatures with respect and care, reflecting God's own character in how we interact with what He has made. It also challenges us to see the inherent dignity in every human being, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background. We are all part of one human family, created and loved by God.

3. One Love: The final principle addresses sexual morality, calling believers to honor God with their bodies and relationships. In a world where "anything goes" was often the norm, early Christians were called to a different standard—one that reflected God's design for human sexuality within the covenant of marriage.

This principle goes beyond just avoiding certain behaviors. It invites us to view our bodies and our relationships as sacred, as means through which we can honor God and love others well. It challenges us to cultivate purity of heart and mind, not just in our actions but in our thoughts and attitudes.
These three principles—One God, One Race, One Love—provide a framework for living out our faith that is both profoundly simple and deeply challenging. They call us to a life of wholehearted devotion to God, respectful stewardship of creation, and pure, selfless love in our relationships.
But here's the beautiful truth: we don't have to achieve these ideals through our own strength. The same grace that saves us also empowers us to live differently. As we surrender our lives to God day by day, He works in us, transforming our hearts and enabling us to reflect His character more and more.
This journey of faith and transformation is captured beautifully in the Lord's Prayer, which encapsulates our dependence on God and our desire to align our lives with His will:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
As we pray these words, we're reminded that our faith journey is both intensely personal and inherently communal. We come to God as individuals, yet we're part of a larger family of believers, all striving to live out these core principles of faith.
So, as we navigate the complexities of modern life, let's hold fast to these timeless truths. Let's commit ourselves anew to worshipping the one true God, treating all of creation—especially our fellow humans—with dignity and respect, and honoring God in our relationships and with our bodies.
May we continually seek God's grace, not just for our salvation, but for the daily living out of our faith. As we do, may our lives increasingly reflect the beauty, love, and holiness of the God we serve, drawing others to experience His transformative power for themselves.