Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
When one studies the book of
Galatians, you will find that Paul was dealing with the issue of false teachers.
These were Jews who were teaching that one must be a Jew, either by birth or by
conversion, and agree to obey the Law of Moses to assure you would have a place
in heaven. In the eyes of some Jewish people, circumcision was still necessary
for salvation; it was a badge of the law; it was outward proof that you were
following the law. There was a gap between Jews and Gentiles, as in the days of
the Jewish forefathers,
There was a Rabbinic prayer that
was popular among the Jews of that day. The Jewish man offering the prayer
would thank God that he was not born a Gentile, a slave, or a woman. Paul
covered these three categories in this verse and showed that in God's sight
they were all equal, and God had erased all lines that divided them.
It is a sad state of affairs, but
people still draw lines today. I was speaking to someone several years ago, and
they told me that their church was where the more affluent people go. Some will
draw lines between denominations, which God never intended His church to be divided
into. One of the primary themes of the first and second chapters of Galatians
was Paul's visit to Jerusalem to meet with some of the Disciples. Unity of the
church and its gospel message was prevalent and uppermost in Paul's plan. If
the difference between Jews and Greeks were allowed to continue, there would be
a split in God's Church.
Some draw lines between race or
national origin. People still speak of white or black churches today, and
people of all races accept it. You will see churches named Korean Baptist
church; there is one here in Petersburg, Va. on E. Washington Street. There are
also Latino churches as well as other churches of national origins.
There are also particular
political parties that certain churches accept or reject. If you affiliate
yourself with another political party, you will not feel welcomed there and
possibly ostracized from their midst.
When one feels more comfortable in a church where there are people from
their race, national origin, or political affiliation, that person has drawn a
line that God never meant for His Church, a line that Jesus died on the Cross
to eradicate.
There is no distinction between
anyone who places their faith and trust in what Christ Jesus did on the Cross
for our salvation in God's eyes. No matter where a person was born, their race
or political affiliation, when they accept Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior,
they will have eternal life with God. The washing of the Blood of Christ is for
anyone that seeks salvation by grace through faith.
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