One in Christ Jesus - November 4

Read Galatians 3:23-29 

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. 

Reflect 

What should unify Christians? How does becoming a Christian change our identity? 

Our culture is obsessed with individual identities. Now, it's true that God created us all as individuals. Not a single one of us is exactly like another. We may have different ethnicities, different cultures, different skin tones, different hair colors, etc. We all have different strengths, weaknesses, and different talents and gifts from God.  

But even as our culture celebrates this individualism and the idea of “you do you,” we are simultaneously bombarded with messages promoting unity. The problem is that this hyperfocus on our individual identities draws attention to our differences and this drives a wedge in our unity. In this type of environment, it is hard to find commonalities as a basis for this unity. We are missing a glue that will hold us together. Unity for the sake of unity is a false unity. We need to have something in common that unites us.  

In today’s passage, Paul tells us what that identity factor is. It’s our identity in Christ! Yesterday, we discussed the purpose of the law. It didn’t have the power to save but it did train us in godliness as well as point out our sin and our need for a Savior. Our complete failure to meet God’s standard of holiness was meant to lead us to Christ. Today, Paul continues that train of thought explaining that before a person believes in Christ, they are held captive by the law and their sin. God’s true and perfect justice has declared them guilty and they are condemned to death. Before Christ, we were sinners and slaves.  

But in Christ, we have a new identity. We have been set free! Paul wrote that we are now all children of God, not because of our good works, but because of our faith in Christ! That means that we are spiritual descendants of Abraham. As Abraham’s descendants, we are set to inherit the same promises that he was given on the same basis. Abraham was promised eternal salvation and blessing based on his faith, not his behavior. Just as he “believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6) so we are reconciled to God based solely on our faith in Him. Through that faith, we are adopted into the family of God.  

In Romans 10:9-13, Paul explained: “...because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in you heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  

Friends, that is what unites us—”one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:5-6). Our identity isn’t found in our gender, our ethnicity, our sexuality, our job, our social statues, or any other human criteria so these differences shouldn’t divide us. But neither we are united simply for unity’s sake. Our identity is in Christ. We are now sons and daughters of God Himself, co-heirs with Christ. All of God’s riches are now freely bestowed on us. That goes for me, that goes for you, and that goes for anyone else who has put their faith in Christ. In Him, we are united because we share a common identity—children and heirs of the King of Heaven. 

Respond  

Lord, what a gift and to be a child of God and an heir with Christ! You have given me such an enormous blessing that I can’t even fully fathom. Help me to find my identity in You alone. I pray for Your church as well, that we would be one in You, united in our common confession of faith in You. Amen. 

Reveal  

This week, look for a way to bridge a gap between people who normally wouldn’t connect—maybe coworkers who don’t get along, neighbors who rarely speak, or even family members divided by opinions or background. Create a small space for connection: invite them to share a meal, work together on a project, or simply listen to both with genuine interest. As you take that step toward inclusion, let your words and actions communicate that their value isn’t based on status, background, or belief—it’s based on being seen and cared for. In doing so, you reflect the kind of unity that comes when we see one another as deeply loved and worth knowing.