Sanctity of the Soul

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On April 12, 2026 Sara Wade shared a message about the Sanctity of the Soul.  It was a powerful message for us to think about who we are and what God has us for.  Here are a few bulleted thoughts around what was shared.  

We live in a world of filters.

We filter our photos.
We filter our words.
We filter our lives.

We’ve learned how to present the best version of ourselves while hiding the parts we’re unsure about. And if we’re honest, sometimes we bring that same filtered version of ourselves into our faith.

But what if following Jesus was never meant to be filtered?

A Faith That Refuses to Hide

There’s a powerful tension many of us feel:
We want to follow Jesus… but we don’t want to stand out too much.
We want to love people… but we don’t want to offend anyone.
We want truth… but only if it’s comfortable.

The problem is—Jesus never lived that way.

He didn’t filter truth to make it easier to accept.
He didn’t filter compassion to make it safer to give.
He didn’t filter His identity to fit into culture.

He lived fully, openly, and unapologetically.

And He calls us to do the same.

The Courage to Be Authentic
Authentic faith is not about being perfect—it’s about being real.

It’s about showing up as who you are, fully surrendered to who God is. It’s choosing honesty over image. It’s allowing your life to reflect Jesus not just in safe spaces, but in everyday moments.

This kind of faith takes courage.

Because living authentically means:
You might not always be understood
You might face resistance
You might feel uncomfortable

But it also means your life becomes a clear reflection of Jesus to the people around you.

Compassion Without Compromise
One of the most beautiful things about Jesus is how He held two things together that we often separate: grace and truth.

He loved deeply.
He welcomed freely.
He saw people others ignored.

But He also spoke truth—clearly, boldly, and without apology.

In today’s culture, we’re often told we have to choose one or the other:
Be loving or be truthful
Be accepting or be honest
But Jesus shows us a better way.

We can love people fully without compromising truth.
We can speak truth clearly without losing compassion.

That’s what it means to live an unfiltered faith.

The Fire That Won’t Stay Silent
There’s a moment in Scripture where the prophet Jeremiah describes God’s Word like a fire shut up in his bones—something he couldn’t hold in, even when it was hard. 

That’s what happens when faith becomes real.

It’s no longer something you just believe—it’s something that burns within you.

You don’t share Jesus because you have to.
You share Him because you can’t keep Him to yourself.

So What Does This Look Like?
Living unfiltered doesn’t mean being loud or aggressive. It means being faithful.

It looks like:

Being honest about your faith at work, at home, and with friends
Loving people who are different from you
Standing on truth even when it’s unpopular
Letting your life reflect Jesus in both words and actions

It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present and surrendered.

A Simple Challenge
Take a moment and ask yourself:
Where have I been filtering my faith?

Where am I holding back from being fully authentic?

Who in my life needs to see the real Jesus through me?

Then take one step this week:
Have a real conversation
Show unexpected compassion
Share your story

Speak truth in love

Final Thought
The world doesn’t need a polished version of Christianity.

It needs people who are real.
People who love deeply.
People who live boldly.
People who reflect Jesus without filtering Him out.

So let’s be that kind of people.

Let’s live unfiltered.

Blessings, 
Pastor Alex,

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​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass



CROSSROADS CHURCH
Discovering God is a fresh look at how God is moving in our lives. Rooted in the Crossroads Church community, we reflect on sermons, share stories, and explore everyday moments where God invites us to grow. Join us as we take steps toward Him together. Learn more at www.wearecrossroads.church.

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