All One in Christ Jesus

Day 261: Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-31

“for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” - Galatians 3:26-28 ESV

There is probably not another verse in the Bible that speaks to the revolutionary nature of the New Testament as in verse 28 of this passage. For the first time in human history, everyone was given an equal voice and standing in a movement of people (ultimately of God). This was the setup for every civil rights movement that would follow. Yet it was more than that.

The main message of Jesus was to say that everyone had value, regardless of their gender, status, or race. It is heartbreaking to see many today who still refuse to submit to this truth.

When we are baptized as a response to our faith in Jesus, we are declaring that we are one more sinner in need of grace. Putting on Jesus also means doing away with rank.

This doesn't mean that our race, gender, or status no longer matter. We celebrate the diversity of those that are a part of Jesus' Church. Yet, in our diversity, there should always be equality.

The following quote from Kenneth Boles' Galatians commentary is a great way to end our time for today:

"The Galatian believers, although Gentile in their ancestry, are united with Jewish believers in Christ. In the world, mankind will always be divided into warring camps over issues of race, nationality, creed, sex, and social status, but in the body of Christ all are equal. All have put on Christ; all look like Christ; all belong to Christ."