One in Christ

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 3, verse 28. Welcome to this daily encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

One in Christ was written by Lisa M. Samra and read by Rochelle Traub. Galatians chapter 3, verses 26-29.

So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile. Neither slave nor free. nor is there male and 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. One in Christ, written by Lisa M. Samra. Phyllis Wheatley The first published African American poet. used biblical themes to persuade believers in Jesus to abolish slavery.

Born around seventeen fifty three in western Africa, Wheatley was sold to a slave trader at only seven years of age. Quickly distinguishing herself as a remarkable student, she finally secured her emancipation in seventeen seventy three. In her poems and correspondence, Wheatley pressed her readers to embrace the scriptural affirmation of the equality of all people. She wrote. In every human breast God has implanted a principle.

which we call love of freedom. It is impatient of oppression. and pants for deliverance. And the same principle lives in us. Equality before God is a truth emphasized by Paul when he wrote in Galatians 8.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile. Neither slave nor free. nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Because we're all children of God through faith, Differences such as race, ethnicity, gender, or social status shouldn't lead to discrimination in the church. Even as equal recipients of God's love, we still struggle to live out this principle.

But Scripture teaches that diverse peoples united through faith in Christ. Best reflect God's heart and is His plan for life in eternity. That reality can help us to celebrate the diversity in our communities of faith now. Let's pray. Dear Jesus, help us to embrace and celebrate the diversity within our faith communities.

recognizing that we are all one in Christ Jesus. May we love and accept each other as equal recipients of your boundless grace. Thank you, Lord. It's in your name that we pray. Amen.

As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. How does diversity better represent God? How can you celebrate diversity in Christ?