Galatians 3:28

A Radical Message in Its Time – and Ours

In the first-century context, Jews and Gentiles/Greeks were often fighting with each other, with Jews having the major religious and cultural identity. The early church was struggling to integrate Gentile believers. However, we know that the gospel and the new covenants go beyond the ethnic barriers and all people are welcome to approach Christ. In the Roman Empire, slavery was common and social status was a significant barrier. Paul referencing this dynamic was a call to the church to dismantle these social hierarchies – to serve and to not be served. In the ancient world (and some parts today), gender roles were rigidly defined, with women often having limited rights and opportunities. This challenges those norms by affirming the equal value and dignity of men and women in Christ, for both are made in the image of God. Overall, Paul is calling all of us to be united and identify with Christ. Being in Christ describes ones’ relationship with Jesus through faith. It’s something that is lived out in the community of believers, like through sharing resources and fellowship.

Identity in Christ > Every Other Label

Our primary identity is found in Christ, not in our ethnicity, social status, or gender. This hit me like a ton of bricks when I read this verse. We have allowed so many barriers to get in the way of truly and authentically loving and caring for each other, both within and outside of the church. People are not being allowed services due to their sexual orientation, wealth status or ethnicity. People are being kicked out of religious and church leadership positions due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. We create these labels often as a way to discriminate, bully, and abuse one another. This really hit me with our transgender community. Transgender individuals are often referred to by their former names and pronouns, not out of love, but out of resistance or disrespect. It’s caused a lot of mental health issues and even suicide because of the amount of bullying and abuse they go through. No one deserves that, regardless of any situation. What Paul points out here is that these labels don’t exist with Christ. The only identity that we can claim is “child of God.” We are all a part of that identity and we don’t need to see beyond that. 

If you’re gay, transgender, lesbian, black, asian, Latinx, rich, impoverished, female, male, nonbinary – you are a child of God above it all. You may just be a different flavor of it, but you are a child of God – that is what makes you beautifully and wonderfully made in his image. Remember, God does NOT look at the outer appearance as we do, God looks at the heart. There is no barrier to that – just a hope that we can see each other as God can. 

Reflection Questions:

1. What assumptions do you still hold that may be getting in the way of seeing others like God does?
2. Have you excluded someone before because of their identity, appearance, or beliefs?
3. How can your community better reflect the oneness we are called to in Christ?

Call to Action:

Read Galatians 3:28 daily and reflect: “Am I living like everyone I meet is a child of God?” Then take one action – big or small – to show someone from a marginalized group that they belong. 

Next slice of manna: Manna for the Mind #264