Passage: Galatians 3: 23-29
Point
1. The law was our guardian until faith was revealed in Jesus Christ, now we are no longer under a guardian.
2. We are now sons of God and heirs of Abraham through faith in Jesus Christ. We have been baptized in Christ and clothed in His sonship.
3. “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.”
Personalize
Jesus Christ evens the playing field. There is no longer “slave or free, male or female” we are all one in Christ. We live in a world that seeks equality in government, the market place, and in community affairs. Equality comes in our commitment to a common focus and values. In the Christian life our equality comes in our single focus on Christ. Our value is no longer determined by our political party, sexual makeup, or social status. We who are in Christ find the freedom from cultural definitions and barriers.
Our value as an individual and our identity comes solely through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus gives us a new identity and purpose that supersedes all other definitions of ourselves. Our culture does not determine our identity. Our careers do not produce significance, and our marital status does not give us value. I recently listened to a podcast by Timothy Keller on Sexuality and the Church. In this message he shared the radical views of Paul that our relationship with Christ changes it all. We choose to marry or remain single not for personal fulfillment but solely on the basis of what will serve the kingdom best in our lives and mission. We are now identified with Jesus Christ. We are sons and daughters of God.
So how do we live out this principle, “our identity comes solely from Christ”? Paul lets us know that there is “neither Jew or Gentile, male or female, nor free or slave”. We choose to obtain our identity from Christ and not our religious views, sexual drives, or social status. We choose Christ as the “flag we fly”. He is the sole reason for our existence and our faith is based solely on Christ. The Gospel is our message and we now identify ourselves as “followers of Christ”. We are baptized in Christ, thus we are immersed in His identity and purpose for our lives.
Prayer
Lord, may we seek our identity in Christ. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we may know the fullness of Christ and His purposes for our lives. We choose to be known by Christ. Cloth us with the righteousness of Christ so others may see our good works and know we are sons and daughters of God.
