Galatians 3:26-29 (NIV): You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The unifying and transforming power of the gospel is amazing. It tears down barriers, removes divisions, and remakes people in ways that enable deep fellowship. The Jews and the Greeks, not to mention the English speakers and the Spanish speakers, can worship and serve in the kingdom together, side by side. The One that unites them is infinitely more powerful than the things that could divide them. Slave and free can worship and serve together, as can the poor and the wealthy. The One who unites them is infinitely more powerful than any class distinctions (which were invented by people, anyway!) that could divide them. Male and female can worship and serve together, each bringing their own gifts and skills to the body, making it richer and more-dimensional. The One who unites them is infinitely more powerful than gender roles that could divide them. We are watching all of this play out in our congregation here in Woodburn in living color. We must not falter in our commitment to follow God in this new way of worship, and serving – we are actually seeing the kingdom of God operate in our church the way that God sees it operate in heaven! We must stay the course, and work with God as He is working, and He has promised us that we will see even greater things than this!
Father, thank You for this word of encouragement. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You and Your kingdom and how YOU tell us it is supposed to operate. Your single word is worth billions spoken by men, because it not only guides and directs, it gives us life! Amen!