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Galatians 3:24-28
So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
New International Version (NIV)
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Babysitting our kids often proved to be an adventure. Once we had a kid-induced water leak which flooded our kitchen. We arrived home to find the babysitter and her parents waiting for us. Water streamed down the sheetrock. Nobody was harmed, but crazy things happened. Thankfully, at some point the boys were old enough to take care of themselves. They no longer needed a babysitter. This was a good day!
In this part of his letter to the Galatians, Paul called the law a baby-sitter or guardian until Christ came. God spoke to his people through the law (the first five books of the Old Testament), but the law was never designed to save. Before Moses brought the tablets down the mountain, God had already offered the promise of life to Abraham through faith. Christ, Abraham’s seed, offered salvation to all who believe. So salvation by faith preceded the giving of the law (Genesis 15:1-6).
In Christ, Paul contends, all of our barriers are broken down. In the ancient world, the Jews and Gentiles lived in enmity. But in Christ all are children of God through faith. Gentiles were not required to do a tutorial on the ceremonial and calendar law of the Jews. Similarly, in Paul’s day, slave and free worshiped Christ together in the same church. In the ancient world, women had so often been subjugated. Then came Christ offering salvation to all. We stand on level ground at the foot of the cross.
In Acts 2:17-18, Peter interpreted Pentecost as the coming of the Holy Spirit on all flesh causing both sons and daughters to prophesy. Prophecy in the scriptures was not so much foretelling the future as speaking a word from God. Of course, we recognize that God created male and female in our uniqueness. In Christ Jesus, though, we are all one. One Spirit gives good gifts to male and female to be used to build up the body of Christ. We learn from our sisters and brothers as we live in Christian community together. Since we have the Spirit, we no longer need a babysitter. This is a good day!
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Pray with me:
Thank you, oh our Father, for giving us your Son, and leaving your Spirit until the work on earth is done. Thank you for giving good gifts to all of your people. Guide us by your Holy Spirit to become the one body you always knew we could be. Break down painful barriers between us. Help us to take the whole counsel of your whole word. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 5:19-20
Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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