Galatians 3:26-29 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
This text is so encouraging to me! So simple and basic, but boy, do we manage to get it wrong!
It appears that Paul had narrowed down the major divisions of society in this short passage and then cleared up how Jesus views these classifications. He references ethnicity (Jews/Greeks), social status (slave/free) and gender (male/female) issues, which looks to be right in line with the major issues we face in this world today, even in the church.
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus.
This doesn’t mean that Jesus has wiped out the distinctions of who we are – Men are still men, women are still women, Texans are still Texans (had to throw that one in for Pastor), etc., but now, in Jesus Christ, these distinctions don’t have to divide us!
Now, please hear me here – If the church does not lead the way in unity, harmony and reconciliation, we can’t expect the world to do so either. The world has not been baptized in Christ and this text would mean little to them. It’s our task as a church to live out this message and empower those we come into contact with. Let’s find a way to lead them in grace (as we need so much of it as well!) and show them who Jesus is and what he’s done for us.
Heavenly Father, thank you for adopting us into your family. I pray for unity among all those who call upon your name and share your Spirit so the world may know there is a solution to conflict and division. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Toni