Daily Devotional For Saturday, May 25, 2024
Its Super Saturday and the long-awaited weekend is here. Read Galatians 3:28, “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” (ESV). I love this verse because it reminds us that in Christ we are all one in Christ — no matter our Christian tradition or denomination as long as we have given our life to Jesus Christ. Southside Baptist Church consists of people from many different Christian denominations, nations, ethnic groups and backgrounds. What holds all of that together is Jesus Christ and our commitment to Him.
It is terrible when people in a church cannot get along and then leave or worse, that church splits into two different churches located at two different locations. On Jesus’ last night on this planet prior to His arrest, scourging, crucifixion, and death, He said this to His disciples in John 17:20-21, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. (21) I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in Us so that the world will believe You sent Me” (NLT).
“Did you hear about two churches on a beautiful Sunday morning, with all the windows open, one church sang, “Will there be any stars in my crown?” And across the street, the other church sang in response, “No, not one!” I’m happy to say the Spirit of God is moving to break down those barriers.”
In this very powerful verse, the Apostle Paul tells us several great and fantastic spiritual truth. (1) The first spiritual truth is that God we have become members of God’s family. We see that in Galatians 3:26-28:
“For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. (28) There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (NLT).
Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll says this about this passage:
“How are we placed in the family? How do we receive the status of “children of God”? The baptism of the Holy Spirit, which occurred at the moment we trusted Christ as our Savior, placed us in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13, “For by one Spirit we all were immersed and mingled into one single body.a And no matter our status—whether we are Jews or non-Jews, oppressed or free—we are all privileged to drink deeply of the same Holy Spirit” (NLT). We have been identified with Christ and brought into personal union with Him. Because we have clothed ourselves with Christ (Gal. 3:27, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”), we have also put on His righteousness. Just as Christ is the One and only Son of God by nature, we become sons and daughters of God by grace” (Source: Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary, “Ephesians & Galatians,” p. 87).
Steve Farrar adds an addition truth that helps us understand Paul’s point here:
“In the Roman society when a youth came of age he was given a special toga which admitted him to the full rights of the family and state and indicated he was a grown-up son. So the Galatian believers had laid aside the old garments of the Law and had put on Christ’s robe of righteousness which grants full acceptance before God. Who would want to don again the old clothing?” (Source: Steve Farrar, Point Man: How A Man Can Lead His Family, p. 29).
(2) The second biblical truth Paul tells us in Galatians 3:28 is we have become one with Christ with all other Christians. In the Apostle Paul’s day, there were slaveowners. There was a societal hierarchy of standing. Masters were over and above their slaves in every way and every place — EXCEPT — the church. As Christians, both master and slave were to equally submit to their Master — Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is clear — in the church, no one, no matter who they are, what their position is in the church or the world, can ever look down on another believer with distant, contempt or bias.
Yet, contrary to some liberal and progressive “preachers,” they misunderstood Paul’s words here. Paul is not suggesting that in political or society or culture, does this eliminate all differences. The Apostle Paul accepted this in his day. This is why he tells slaves to obey their masters. This oneness or unity is “in Christ Jesus” only. Paul never says this is “in society,” “in the family,” or “in the business world,” or “in politics.”
Again, pastor and author Chuck Swindoll adds insight to this:
“Paul’s statement “does not mean that racial, social and sexual distinctions are actually obliterated.… When we say that Christ has abolished these distinctions, we mean not that they do not exist, but that they do not matter.” It is true that the gospel has inspired positive social and cultural changes such as the abolition of slavery and the rejection of racism and sexism. But Paul’s primary emphasis is the spiritual reality, not its social implications. Genuine societal change comes only as Christian spiritual values are reflected in the world by those whose hearts and minds have been transformed by the truth of the gospel” (Source: Charles R. Swindoll, So You Want To Be Like Christ: Eight Essentials To Get You There).
Paul accepted and understood there are differences between men, women, free, slave, Gentile, Jew and etc. There are obvious racial, social, and sexual differences among people. Paul, however, was speaking of spiritual differences—differences in standing before the Lord, spiritual value, privilege, and worthiness. Consequently, prejudice based on race, social status, sex, or any other such superficial and temporary differences has no place in the fellowship of Christ’s church. So, let’s all look and accept each other as Jesus Christ does.
Questions To Consider
- When you think of the body of Christ, what comes to your mind and why?
- Paul says these cultural, racial, ethnic, social, and political distinctions no longer matter. Do you agree with this and why?
- Jesus prayed in John 17:21 that we would be one, united under Him. Has that been your experience? Why or why not?
- What do you think it will take to make the church one and united under Him?
- Have you ever witnessed or experienced someone in the church looking down on your or another believer? What did you do about ti?
Scripture To Meditate On: 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. (13) Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, please keep reminding me that everyone in Your church is equal. It does not matter our positions or places in society because in Your church, we are all on one standing. Please help me see people as You see them. Please forgive me if I treat one member differently than another. Please forgive me if I give more status to one church over another. I want to see every Christian, every disciple of Yours as you see them and tell me to see them. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside!—Pastor Kelly