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23 Before the coming of this faith, 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. (Galatians 3:23-29 NIV)
Happy Tuesday, dear Friend! I pray your day is going favorably and that you are influencing your world in a favorable manner. Smile more! Laugh often! Pray without ceasing. Love without wincing.. And as we pray, pray for this old man as I prepare to preach in First Methodist Gonzales, Texas the first Sunday of July. May the Lord give me the Word for that day!
For those of you who now consider yourself fully adult, do you remember the day when you realized, "Gulp. This is it. I'm the adult now. I'm on my own; win or lose, gain or fail, it's on me now."? Paul the Apostle is saying the same thing in the opening part of this passage; we're no longer under the guardianship of the law; we live in Christ Jesus now, and He has justified us by faith. No longer are we looking in; we're in! I've shared how in seminary they showed up an old 16mm film that had to be thread just right into the old projector and it showed a black and white movie of a small boy who had been orphaned in a fire, and not only having lost his family, he lost most of his looks in the flames of the fire, and now he has been accepted into a new family, the family that the orphanage will become to him as the priest opened the door and urged the other kids to welcome him, which they do with wide grins and much hugging. Justified by grace. Nothing required, just his willingness to become a part of this new family. Paul knows all about this for he was adopted, just as he was and had been, and made new as the newest member of this family called the Body of Christ. At his baptism, Paul put on Christ, as did we, as our outer covering was Christ Jesus.
This passage is a radical declaration of unity and identity. We are no longer defined by who we were or what we’ve done. We are defined by who we belong to. Through baptism, we have been “clothed with Christ,” wrapped in His righteousness, covered in His grace. Like a new garment, Christ becomes the way we present ourselves to the world—not in pride, but in freedom, love, and belonging.
Paul’s words dismantle hierarchy and elevate our shared identity: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This is not a denial of our uniqueness, but a celebration of our unity in Him. We belong to God’s family, and as heirs of the promise, we are called to live like it—with humility, justice, and grace toward all.
In a world that still builds walls, the gospel calls us to tear them down.
PRAYER: Gracious God, thank You for making us Your children through faith. Thank You for clothing us in Christ, for covering us in His righteousness and calling us Your own. Help us live out this identity with confidence and compassion. Tear down any walls we’ve built in our hearts, and let us walk as one family, united in Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Live like one who’s clothed in Christ—let your life reflect His love, His grace, and His unity.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
