"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 Jesus Christ. (v.28)
The Christian gospel celebrates unity and equality of all people in the name of Jesus Christ. Differences based upon ethnicity, economic status, and race, do not exist in God’s eyes. His family members are all equal to one another.
This concept was radically new for the believers in Galatia, who were undoubtedly quite familiar with first-century attitudes. It was common for the Pharisees in Paul's time to give thanks to God that they were not Gentiles, slaves, or women. Clearly, a great deal of prejudice existed against these groups (as well as others) at that time. Some would argue that not much has changed today.
But Paul argues here (vv.26-29) when we declare faith in Christ we are baptized into Him, guaranteed to inherit all the divine promises of Abraham, and are then fully and completely adopted by God into His family. In this family it does not matter if one is Jew or Gentile, a slave or free, man or woman, white or black, because what becomes the most defining piece of our identity is that we are “Christian,” (Christ like).
True unity comes from our recognition that we are all recipients of saving grace from God through Jesus Christ. It is not the Christian gospel that has caused division among races, nor the Church itself, but our own selfish pride and superior attitudes, those who would call themselves Christians and yet hold themselves above their fellow man. Jesus recognized these pridefull attitudes in many in His day and He called them "Hipocrates" and "Whitewashed Tombs" for their self righteous actions.
To be outside of God's family is to have your identity "of the world." This leads to your actions being in support of the world and its agendas, and not God's. Is it any wonder then that anarchy and lawlessness will follow when man believes he knows better? What this country needs is not division but unity, not restrictions but revival, not fear but faith.
No political party or person has all the answers for our struggling nation, but God does. Therefore Christian, get on your knees and pray that God will stir this country back to its Christian roots and bring unity of purpose again to the hearts of the American people.
The Truth: “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
