We find from reading Paul's letter to the Galatians 3, these words from verse 23 to 29: 23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.
We are God's children. We can ask for no better parent than God. We can ask for no better label than to be able to say we are in the family of God. Our earthly families may have been less than perfect, but in God's family, through faith in Christ, we find that which we need. Paul is celebrating this and so should we! Hear what he's saying. There was a time when we did not know the love and grace of God. We lived either according to our passions or under the guilt of the prison of dos and don'ts. It was the revelation of faith through Christ that we discovered grace. In Jesus we found the clothing we needed that not only identified us but guides us. Our oldest grandchild just graduated from Kindergarten where she was required to wear a uniform. Sarita is an artistic girl who likes to express herself not only on paper but in her clothing. To have to wear almost the same thing day after day was not good for her spirit. When she learned she would be attending a grade school where they wear what they want she was elated. To wear Christ is elation as well. We are embraced and covered with His love for us. We are embraced by the One who will not let us fall away or be eternally separated from the love of God. And, because of the clothing of Christ, there is now no divisions between whatever labels we or society has placed on us. No more Jew or Greek, Paul says. No slave nor free, not even male or female; we "are one in Christ Jesus." All heirs of God.
So quit the "broke" thinking of "I'm poor" or "My church is poor." It's thinking like that that has us poor in all things; thought, spirit, ideas, resources, etc. Put on Christ and the label of being the son/daughter of the Most High God. Apply that to your daily thoughts and you will be blessed and a blessing to others.
Quit also, listening to those who continue to try to label you in a category or a division. We are one in Christ Jesus. Those who insist on labeling are outsiders, outside of the love and blessings of God. They're the poorer for it. Love them and pray for them, but listen not to those voices, listen for God's voice.
PRAYER: Thank you, loving God, for making me Yours. Help me to share the Good News of Your love and grace with others. This I pray in Christ Jesus, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
