Ye Are All One in Christ Jesus

One thing I love about rereading Scripture is that it gives the Lord plenty of opportunities to use what I read to change my heart. I’ve been reading through Galatians every day (see the July Scripture challenge) this last week, and the Lord has used two different passages to work on my heart about a couple of current issues.

Disclaimer.

Please note I purposely don’t usually blog about current events or political issues on this site or my teacher website. It actually annoys me when businesses and public figures seem to think I want to hear their opinions about politics and current events when really I just want some coffee, to share teaching ideas, to watch a movie, or just to shop (for example). With that said, this post is just my personal thoughts and feelings. If you disagree with me, that is okay. We can still be friends. 🙂

I’m back.

The Lord speaks to us in the midst of the circumstances around us to help us navigate our response and that is what I want to share with you today.

I’ve watched as our country spiraled into chaos after the death of George Floyd. The peaceful and probably well-meaning protesters were overshadowed by the rioting, looting, violence, and destruction that took place. The media did (and continues to do) their best to divide us, to stir up contentions and strife.

Please understand, I am not ignorant of the fact that there are racist people in America. However, I refuse to believe the cries of systemic, widespread racism in our country. At this point based on social media reaction, many would share videos with me to watch or books I should read after making that statement. That is okay. I have my own videos, my own books, etc. to explain my viewpoint. So we will just have to agree to disagree and move on from here.

The only answer is Christ.

Take a look at the works of the flesh found in Galatians 5:19-21.

Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and the like.

We could add to the list by using other passages in the Bible, but I think that is plenty to show us that the problem in America is not the color of our skin. It is the condition of our hearts.

Hatred. Division. Strife. Contention.

It is all around us. It is among us.

Sometimes I think Satan is looking at America right now, rubbing his hands together, eagerly waiting for our utter destruction as a nation. And instead of fighting the spiritual battle, we focus on the physical battle of “us versus them.” It really is heartbreaking to think about, but I’m thankful that I know Who wins in the end.

Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

You see, Jesus Christ is the only answer.

In Christ, we are all equal. In Christ, our race doesn’t matter. In Christ, our status doesn’t matter. In Christ, our sex doesn’t matter.

The key phrase is “in Christ.”

Christians, let’s stop being surprised by what the lost world does or does not do. Let’s stop criticizing, questioning, and wondering how they choose to live in a certain way.

Instead, let’s focus on the spiritual battle.

Let’s examine our own hearts and be sure we are demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

Let’s remember that the world needs Christ. Are we representing Him well?