Readings Galatians 3:25-29
Galatians 3:25-29 (NASB95)
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.
Would you be happy or mad if you had to sit next to this character on a long plane trip?
Looks may be deceiving here, but you should be happy! No, he is in his right state of mind, in spite of what he is wearing. That is a piñata that some children in Mexico broke into and stuck on his head.
Often times, wearing someone elses shoes/”hat” is a great way to show unity! What great memories! Check out “Mexico 2005” above for more pics.
Dear family,
There are not many things that make me really mad in life. I have mentioned plumbing before. But here is a serious matter!
One thing that I find very disturbing is the response that I still see in people towards other races. There are still those with deep seeded beliefs about others that are not “like” them. How someone can see themselves as better than someone else is hard to see in light of what the Bible tells us. We all were created in the image of God. All of us are given the invitation to come to Christ!
I think it is vital that we remind those around us with those thoughts of superiority, that they are no different, no more deserving than anyone else. Each of us deserve Hell. None of us deserve special treatment or positioning of in God’s family.
It is probably something we should get mad about, but remember to act in love.
What happens when someone comes to Christ? When the law and the Spirit has revealed to them that they are in a desperate state and need to be renewed?
Paul tells us that through faith in Christ Jesus, we are all baptized into Christ, and are clothed with Christ. When God looks at us, He sees the righteousness of Christ, not our sin.
Paul goes on to tell those who are believers, that we are all one in Christ! (Some of you may be getting worried, thinking that they are one with me. 🙂 Relax.) This is a supernatural thing that God had planned for, before the creation of the world. We are part of something huge, wonderful, eternal! We are the Church, the body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, the Family of God, the Temple of God……. and so much more.
Within the body of Christ, there is no distinction between us, Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. That doesn’t mean that we stop becoming who we are. It means that each of us are treated the same, each of us have equal standing before God and in Christ. Each of us are made as one to enjoy our Lord. Each of us are needed for the full expression of the fullness of Christ who lives within each one of us and the body of Christ as a whole.
Look around you. What does your local body look like? Do you see the full expression of the body of Christ? Maybe you live in such an area that it is not as likely to happen. But is that truly the case? Do we need to expand our looking so that we enjoy the fullness of expression of Christ?
What an amazing thing is the Church. This living organism, with multiple members dwelt by Christ Himself.
Look to what the future Kingdom will consist of!
Revelation 5:9-10 (NASB95)
9 And they sang* a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
How do you and I view the full body of Christ? Do we understand the oneness of that body? Do we desire to see that expressed? Is there anything within that is holding us back? How do we see Christ being expressed completely in the days ahead?
Lot‘s of questions!
Praise God that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life!
The expression “Can’t we all just get along”, should be discarded for “I would love to be with you!” Or “I want to be with you, and I will be with you!”
Let’s see Him lived out in fullness! Part of the body,
Steve
Feel free to share your thoughts. Listen to what our Lord says.
Grace Community Church of Fremont 