READ: Galatians 3 (Focus vs. 26-29)
MEMORY VERSE
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
BACKGROUND
Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American poet, used biblical themes to persuade believers in Jesus to abolish slavery.
Born around 1753 in western Africa, Wheatley was sold to a slave trader at only seven years of age. Quicky distinguishing herself as a remarkable student, she finally secured her emancipation in 1773.
In her poems and correspondence, Wheatley pressed her readers to embrace the scriptural affirmation of the equality of all people.
She wrote, “In every human Breast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; It is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance; and . . . the same Principle lives in us.”
Equality before God is a truth emphasized by Paul when he wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Because we’re “all children of God through faith” (v. 26), differences such as race, ethnicity, gender, or social status shouldn’t lead to discrimination in the church.
Even as equal recipients of God’s love, we still struggle to live out this principle. But Scripture teaches that diverse peoples united through faith in Christ best reflect God’s heart and is His plan for life in eternity. That reality can help us to celebrate the diversity in our communities of faith now.
Lisa M. Samra
INSIGHT
In Galatians 3-4, Paul makes an extended argument for the exalted position of believers in Jesus as members of the family of God. He says that through Christ, we’re no longer treated like minors but have become full heirs to the promises of God (3:23-29; 4:1-7).
The apostle makes the declaration that we’re all “children of God” (3:26). Everyone who comes to Jesus—Jews and gentiles, slave and free, male and female—receives the privileged status of sonship (v. 28). Those who follow Christ share in His full inheritance with all its blessings (v. 29).
For an infant church populated with people of all different backgrounds, social standings, and levels of wealth, the promise of the gospel is that all receive the same blessing through the Son of God and are one in Him.
Jed Ostoich
APPLICATION
How does diversity better represent God? How can you celebrate diversity in Christ?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“…as equal recipients of God’s love, we still struggle to live out this principle. But Scripture teaches that diverse peoples united through faith in Christ best reflect God’s heart and is His plan for life in eternity.”
PR’s TAKE
“Six feet of dirt make all (mankind) equal” Charles Spurgeon
“People will never be equal in physical ways. We are equal, however, in the sight of God. That is because we have a soul that is made in the image of God.” Equal Before God – Tennessee Bible College
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, please help me love my brothers and sisters through the unity only made possible in You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“IN CHRIST THRE IS NO EAST OR WEST”
In Christ there is no east or west,
In him no south or north,
But one great fellowship of love
Thru’out the whole wide Earth.
In him shall true hearts ev’rywhere
Their high communion find.
His service is the golden cord
Close binding humankind
Join hands, then, children of the faith,
Whate’er your race may be!
Who serves my Father as a child
Is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west,
In him meet south and north;
All Christly souls are one in him,
Thru’out the whole wide Earth.
