Word for the day Christian Education Forum
Jesus Christ who includes All
Galatians 3:23-29Verse 28: “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 chapter 3 is a powerful reminder of the unity that we have in Christ. In this chapter, Paul reminds the Galatians that they are all one in Christ Jesus, regardless of their ethnic background, social status, or gender.
The purpose of Paul’s letter to Galatia is to reiterate that salvation comes by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. During his first missionary journey, Paul established four Churches in Galatia along with Barnabas. Later on, however, Paul finds out that some Jewish Christians are spreading false teachings. They taught the Gentiles that in order to become Christians, faith in Jesus Christ is not enough but also needed to do circumcision and observe other mosaic laws. Paul was frustrated with this teaching and explained to them that the works of the law cannot save anyone and it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that anyone is justified and becomes a child of God.
“Just shall live by Faith ''. This is the essence of the Gospel. Both the Old and New Testaments have references to this verse (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:16, Galatians 3:11). Paul points out that Abraham became righteous because he believed in God, not because of the works of the law. The law came 430 years after Abraham’s time given to Moses. Galatians 3:8 says “ Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” This was God’s ultimate plan for the world from the beginning. Through Jesus who was the seed of Abraham, both Jews and Gentiles were reconciled with God.
What was the purpose of law then? In Galatians 3:24-25, we read. “So the law was our guardian until Christ came so that we might be justified by faith, 25. Now that the faith has come we are longer under a guardian”. The purpose of the law is to show us our need for a Savior. It teaches us that we cannot save ourselves and that we need Jesus Christ. The law also helps us to understand God's standard of righteousness and holiness. It shows us how we should live and helps us to recognize when we are falling short.
Even though we are not under the law as Christians, Jesus summarized the ten Commandments into two great commandments. The first and great commandment is, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all
your mind” (Matthew 22:37). And the second is ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (verse 39).
As Christians, we ought to love each other and live in unity. In verse 28, Paul says, "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." This verse emphasizes that in Christ, there is no room for division based on ethnicity, social status, or gender. We are all equal in the eyes of God and are all part of the same body. Jesus showed us this example during His earthly ministry He included everyone, especially the outcasts of the society.
This unity in Christ is not just a nice idea; it has practical implications for the way we live our lives. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to love one another, to bear one another's burdens, and to encourage one another in our faith. We must be willing to set aside our own interests and preferences for the sake of the body of Christ. We must be willing to forgive one another and to work through our differences in a spirit of love and humility. In John 13:35 Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” As we strive to live in unity with one another, we show the world that the gospel has the power to overcome even the deepest divisions and that God's love is greater than any human barrier.
During this Great Lent, let us recognize that we are all one in Christ Jesus. May we seek to love one another, to encourage one another, and to bear one another's burdens. And may our unity in Christ be a powerful witness to the world of the love of God.
The purpose of Paul’s letter to Galatia is to reiterate that salvation comes by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. During his first missionary journey, Paul established four Churches in Galatia along with Barnabas. Later on, however, Paul finds out that some Jewish Christians are spreading false teachings. They taught the Gentiles that in order to become Christians, faith in Jesus Christ is not enough but also needed to do circumcision and observe other mosaic laws. Paul was frustrated with this teaching and explained to them that the works of the law cannot save anyone and it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that anyone is justified and becomes a child of God.
“Just shall live by Faith ''. This is the essence of the Gospel. Both the Old and New Testaments have references to this verse (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:16, Galatians 3:11). Paul points out that Abraham became righteous because he believed in God, not because of the works of the law. The law came 430 years after Abraham’s time given to Moses. Galatians 3:8 says “ Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” This was God’s ultimate plan for the world from the beginning. Through Jesus who was the seed of Abraham, both Jews and Gentiles were reconciled with God.
What was the purpose of law then? In Galatians 3:24-25, we read. “So the law was our guardian until Christ came so that we might be justified by faith, 25. Now that the faith has come we are longer under a guardian”. The purpose of the law is to show us our need for a Savior. It teaches us that we cannot save ourselves and that we need Jesus Christ. The law also helps us to understand God's standard of righteousness and holiness. It shows us how we should live and helps us to recognize when we are falling short.
Even though we are not under the law as Christians, Jesus summarized the ten Commandments into two great commandments. The first and great commandment is, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all
your mind” (Matthew 22:37). And the second is ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (verse 39).
As Christians, we ought to love each other and live in unity. In verse 28, Paul says, "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." This verse emphasizes that in Christ, there is no room for division based on ethnicity, social status, or gender. We are all equal in the eyes of God and are all part of the same body. Jesus showed us this example during His earthly ministry He included everyone, especially the outcasts of the society.
This unity in Christ is not just a nice idea; it has practical implications for the way we live our lives. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to love one another, to bear one another's burdens, and to encourage one another in our faith. We must be willing to set aside our own interests and preferences for the sake of the body of Christ. We must be willing to forgive one another and to work through our differences in a spirit of love and humility. In John 13:35 Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” As we strive to live in unity with one another, we show the world that the gospel has the power to overcome even the deepest divisions and that God's love is greater than any human barrier.
During this Great Lent, let us recognize that we are all one in Christ Jesus. May we seek to love one another, to encourage one another, and to bear one another's burdens. And may our unity in Christ be a powerful witness to the world of the love of God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, We thank you for sending your son Jesus for our redemption. Father, help us to witness the love of Christ to others through our unity and compassion for each other. Lord, we ask that you would help us to truly live a life of love. We know that this is only possible through the power of your Holy Spirit, so we pray for your Spirit to move in our lives in fresh ways. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thought for the Day
“Jesus’s Prayer in John 17:21 -“ May they all be as one, Father, as You are in Me and I am in You. May they belong to Us. Then the world will believe that You sent Me”
Glory Chacko
Epiphany Mar Thoma Churc
Glory Chacko
Epiphany Mar Thoma Churc