Galatians 3:26-29You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Msg: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe – Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise. In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.
When I pondered today’s reading two thoughts kept popping into my mind.
First, this section of Scripture makes me feel secure.
To be “somebody” by the world’s standards is measured by how much money we have, what we “do” for a living, what car we drive, how thin we are, the clothes we wear, our hair style, the square footage of our homes, where we vacation, etc. We will never be “good enough” because there will always be someone wealthier, with a better car, bigger house, nicer clothes, and more toys. I feel so insecure compared to the world’s definition of “somebody.”
According to the measuring sticks provided by the world – I am nothing but a poor, middle-aged woman, whose wardrobe is out of style, with ugly hair, living in a shack, driving a jalopy, and badly in need of liposuction and a facelift.
By God’s standards, because of Jesus Christ, I am perfect! I am Somebody! I am equal to the First Lady, I am a bazillionaire, I am free, and am on a first-name basis with the God of the Universe!
The second thing I pondered is how awesome to realize that when God promised Abraham descendents more numerous than the stars in the sky – that He was talking about you and me! We are famous descendants of Abraham! Now, for all of you who have had genealogies and ancestries done – tracing back your family tree – just bask in that reality for a moment – you are also a descendant of Abraham! And we are heirs to the covenant promise of the God of the Universe!
So - take that, world! We can walk with our heads held high –heirs– with wealth beyond the riches of this world – secure in the promise that we are sons and daughters of the Most High!
Now,doesn't THIS good news just make your day?
-dawn