Can We Heal the Divide?
Good Morning Friends,
Last night we watched the open ceremonies to the Olympics in Rio and one of the themes was about the separation between the races… of those with money and those without. The contrast painted a challenge that is familiar around the world. The signs of hope came in the entrance of the Olympians into the stadium, for this time refugees and independent athletes were included as well as representations from approved countries. Still we ask, Can We Heal the Divide?
Scripture: Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:23–29 (NRSV)
Message: Acting in faith has always been the key to God’s favor. This I believe is particularly relevant when it comes to embracing people of different nationalities allowing our oneness in Christ to overcome our differences….the oneness of God to reign in our lives. Friends, there is a particular joy in communicating our unity without words. A smile… a friendly gesture of gratitude is universal. In Christ there is a hospitality of love…in music… in sports… languages we all know. Friends, in Christ Jesus we can be one. In Jesus we receive a spiritual adoption into the Family of God. The message that Paul preached was about the power of his dramatic transformation and revelation of our shared experience as Christians. He reminds them and us that the curtain separating us from the Holy of Holies has been ripped in two. Here the dividing walls of the human race have been removed. Our power is now in Christ.
Pray that we have faith that the walls between us have been destroyed by Jesus. Pray that we believe that in Christ we can be one. Pray that we gain insights about leadership and peace in the knowledge that Moses, Ester and Jesus were all adopted. Pray that we feel at home in the family of God. Pray we have faith that God will continue to love us….Pray that we believe that Jesus loves us into an identity that superseded our biological and social identity. Pray that God help us all to be what Paul says we already are…united, equal, and free…inclusive and whole. Pray we rejoice when unity is respected in community. Pray that everyone is welcomed. Pray we serve one another in love. Pray we are one in Christ.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 