[:en]SCRIPTURE: GALATIANS 3
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28)
Paul challenged the Galatians to examine themselves whether they received the Spirit by obeying the law of by believing what they heard. Paul hoped to get the Galatians focus on Christ as the foundation of their faith.
The Judaizers argued that the Gentiles had to become Jews in order to become Christians. But Paul took Abraham as an example. “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness” (v. 6). So, those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham and can receive the promise of the Spirit (v. 14). And it is the Holy Spirit that gives Christian great power to live for Christ.
Trying to be right with God by observing the law is impossible because if we break one law, we are condemned. It is Christ who took the curses of the law by dying on the cross to save us from punishment. But does faith annul the law? No, because the more we know God, the more we see how sinful we are. That will compel us to depend on God to live a holy life. Therefore, faith in Jesus Christ is the only way for salvation and the only way to set us free.
When we become sons of God, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus” (v. 28). Faith in Christ transcends the difference and makes all Christians one in Christ. All believers are His heirs according to His promise and no one is more privileged or superior than anyone else.
Lesson: The only way to salvation is faith through Christ. No human efforts will be able to please God. All believers are one in Christ. There is no distinction as to races, positions or gender. All Christians must live in harmony with each other.[:]