Galatians 3:26-29 - Difference Destroyer
- Chad Werkhoven
- Jul 28
- 3 min read
As Christians, our unity does NOT come from our diversity.
Galatians 3:26-29
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all sons 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.
Canons of Dordt
Point 4 - Irresistible Grace
Article 7: God’s Freedom in Revealing the Gospel
In the Old Testament, God revealed this secret of his will to a small number;
in the New Testament
(now without any distinction between peoples)
God discloses it to a large number.
The reason for this difference must not be ascribed
to the greater worth of one nation over another,
or to a better use of the light of nature,
but to the free good pleasure and undeserved love of God.
Therefore, those who receive so much grace,
beyond and in spite of all they deserve,
ought to acknowledge it with humble and thankful hearts.
On the other hand, with the apostle they ought to adore (but certainly not inquisitively search into)
the severity and justice of God’s judgments on the others,
who do not receive this grace.
Article 7: The Earnest Call of the Gospel
Nevertheless, all who are called through the gospel are called earnestly.
For urgently and most genuinely God makes known in the Word what is pleasing to him:
that those who are called
should come to God.
God also earnestly promises rest for their souls and eternal life to all who do come and believe.
Summary
We live in a society dominated by external labels placed upon us. Some of these labels represent how God created you - male or female, tall or short, extraverted or introverted. But most of the labels that get applied to you by others represent societally invented categories: you're a conservative or liberal; the race and ethnicity you were born into; and increasingly the gender you most identify with from amongst an infinite spectrum of choices.
While there are still some who cling to the absurd notion that our unity springs forth from our diversity, there does seem to be more and more people who've had enough pigeon holing. There must be a better way.
Unfortunately, history teaches us that the world always has, and therefore likely always will, maintain its habit of forcing distinctions, often at the point of a gun (until, that is, the Lord returns). The good news is that as a Christian, you've been set free from this madness. Elsewhere in the New Testament, we're taught that despite all of the world's differences, there are really only two types of people: those who remain in Adam, and those who are in Christ.
And for those of us who are in Christ Jesus are all sons of God through faith!
Dig Deeper
Paul uses clothes for an analogy. Imagine a large locker room; on one side, people stream in wearing every imaginable color and style of clothing possible. But out the other come people who've changed their clothes and now present a uniform, matching appearance: when you were baptized into Christ, you clothed yourself with Christ.
This means that you've left all your worldly distinctions - both those you were glad to shed, as well as the ones that you took pride in - in the proverbial locker room, for there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female. Rather, as Christians we are all one in Christ Jesus.
This new uniformity does more than just set you free from the morass of hyphenated identities society wants to force upon you. It also makes you an heir according to the promise given to Abraham's seed. In other words, as a redeemed son of God, all of the promises God made to Israel in the Old Testament now extend to you!
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who has made us His sons in Christ Jesus;
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the strength and desire to live into your true identity as a son of God;
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Luke 22
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