May 25 - A New Outfit

Read Galatians 3:26 - 4:7

Context: The Galatians were Jewish believers. They have been trying to live a Christian life, but their Jewish roots are very strong and they keep returning to the law for direction on how to live. Some of their leaders are integrating the two and requiring adherance to at least a portion of the law. Paul has been admonishing them for this.

Text:
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.

Galatians 4
1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba,[i] Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. (NIV)

Footnotes:
Galatians 4:6 Aramaic for Father
taken from www.biblegateway.com

This is a fun passage...when taken out of context you can use it to remind your children that they are but slaves! This hasn't really worked for me, but I like to pretend it could.

The concept of clothing myself with Christ is so visual. On any given day there is a wide range of outfits I can choose (despite that old feeling of 'there's nothing to wear). I can go casual, dressy, or in shabbier clothes that are appropriate for garden work. Like most women I want to wear items that hide or at least minimize my flaws.Regardless of what I choose, the world will make judgements and assumptions about me based on the clothes that I wear.

Putting on Christ is very similar. On any given day I can choose to clothe myself fully in him, reflecting his love and grace throughout the day. Or I can choose to show a weak version of him to the world, only calling on him when I have a problem and trying to make it on my own for the rest of the day. When I put on his full glory, he hides all my flaws so people notice him instead of me. When I don't, my sinful nature shines through loud and clear.

What are you wearing today?