3D Devotional 6.25.19

Galatians 3:23-29 New International Version (NIV) Children of God

23 Before the coming of this faith,[a] we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.  24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came  that we might be justified by faith.  25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God  through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ  have clothed yourselves with Christ.  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.  29 If you belong to Christ,  then you are Abraham's seed,  and heirs  according to the promise.

In the world today there are so many things that divide us and many categories that seek to separate us-- ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation, politics and more, but Paul tells us that all of these categories are to be put aside, because we are "one in Christ Jesus."  Paul reminds us that we are ALL children of God through faith and Baptism as we "put on Christ".  We belong to him and to each other. We all share equally in the inheritance of God's promise. And in turn we are all shareholders in the mission that God has call us to.  This mission is grounded and rooted in God's love and the path before us is shaped by his love.  We must remember that we are Children of God, loved boundlessly by our heavenly father and called to love others boundlessly.

What boundaries must be set aside to enable us to widen our circle?  How is God calling our church to reach out to others to include them?

Father, Teach us to love boundlessly like you love us.  Through the power of your holy spirit, help us to be your church and do your will.  Amen.

Sheila Freeman