Galatians 3:23-29
Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be reckoned as righteous by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:23-29 (NRSVUE)
Have you ever read passages in the Old Testament and thought, “what does that have to do with me”? In the Old Testament, God gives us rules/laws to live by, he shows his power and might when the people do not follow his commands and stray from Him. The Old Testament teaches us that we all need grace and forgiveness.
This passage from Galatians is reinforcing that now that Jesus has come we cannot get grace and forgiveness by keeping the law, all we have to do is have faith in Jesus. That belief in Jesus gives us that unconditional grace and forgiveness.
This is the same faith in Jesus that makes us all “one in Christ Jesus”. That includes everyone! Not just the people that think like us, act like us, have political views like us, love like us, live like us, or worship like us. This always seems to be the theme that comes through many devotions. But hearing this is not what is going to change our hearts. We must actively practice acceptance and grace towards everyone (even when it is hard, maybe especially then).
Questions for Reflection:
- What are my unconscious biases that keep me from seeing everyone as “one is Christ Jesus”?
- How can I practice acceptance and grace daily?
- Who do I need to work on accepting, even when it is hard?
Prayer:
God of unity, help us see everyone as someone You created in Your image. Guide us when it is hard to accept others and change our hearts, so Your kingdom will be done on earth as it is in heaven! Amen.
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