Jan 15 - One in Christ Jesus

Read Galatians 3:22-29

Context: Paul has been explaining the difficult concept of slavery to sin and how that relates to the Law. He then described the difference between what is gained by following the Law versus having faith in Jesus.

Text:
22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ[h] that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

I can't help but think about Martin Luther King's dream on this day that honors him (and actually, on many other days, too). Why is it so difficult for people to treat others the way they would like to be treated, despite age, race, religion, gender, or handicap? Yet from the beginning of history, when Cain killed Abel, we have had different groups, different cultures, and with that came fear, envy, and the need to feel superior to others who have different ideas or backgrounds.

It is so encouraging to me to know that God doesn't look at ANY of those things...He doesn't see our exterior 'trappings.' He looks at our soul and He is the only one qualified to make judgments about our actions and our heart. Regardless of our background, our sins, or our worldly form, God loves us for who we are and He rejoices when we embrace each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Each of us has a particular 'type' of person we shy away from...it may be related to race, religion, or gender, or it may be more subtle, like those who have been prisoners, addicts, or extremely poor. It may even be the teenager with lots of body piercings or the biker with all the tattoos. I want to try to see past those things into the place where we are all the same, and we all need God.