A message for the week starting on Sunday 19 June 2022
Lectionary Week: Second Sunday after Pentecost
Prescribed Texts: 1 Kings 19:1-15, Psalms 42 and 43, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39
Advocating for Humanity’s Equality in Christ
Focus Text: Galatians 3: 23 – 29
Now before the faith came, we were guarded under the law, kept in custody in preparation for the
faith that was to be revealed. Knowing that a human being is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, for by the law no flesh shall be justified.
“But now that the faith has come, we are no longer under the law, for in Christ Jesus we are all sons (and daughters) of God through faith. For many of you as we were baptized into Christ (into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed one, the Messiah) have put on (clothe yourself with) Christ.
There is (now no distinction) neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male
nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ (are in Him who is
Abraham’s seed) then you are Abraham’s offspring and (spiritual) heirs according to promise.’’
Galatians 3 verse 28 teaches that we are all one in Christ Jesus. However, from the beginning for as long as time has existed, the Devil has influenced a negative attitude of practice of one race, or a group of people being prejudiced against another. Most differences and disagreements come out of prejudice
and hatred. Even various religions have hated one another and allowed the spirit of pride and arrogance to fill their hearts. You and I may not totally agree with everything another person believes or does, but we have no right to hate the person because of it, and we certainly should not mistreat the person for that.
God hates sin, but He loves every sinner. He hates stubbornness and rebellion, but still loves the
person who is stubborn and rebellious. God has never told us we have to approve of everyone’s
beliefs, choices, and actions, but He told us to love one another as God is “Love’’. God gave us His word, including His laws, to lead us and guide us, not to bind us but set us free, so we can be blessed.
Have you ever been rejected and discriminated against? It is a painful experience. There is no room for rejection and discrimination in the body of Christ. We are
rather called to love and unity in Christ Jesus (see Galatians 3:28). In this regard, how would you pray to God to reveal to you any prejudice that may linger in your heart or mind? How would you go about to repent from prejudice and how would you ask God to help you bring about unity where there is division?
To think about: Create in me a clean and an accepting heart towards others O Lord, a heart that is pure towards others no matter of race, sex, religion, or political view that is different from my standard and conviction. In Your image we were created equal.
Written by: Ms Sanah Ramone, trained Churches Channels of Hope (CCoH) facilitator