We are all children of God! Have you heard that? Of course, in terms of creation it is true. Every person we meet is given life by God and bears the image of God from creation. Unfortunately, our likeness to God is marred by sin. We are not as much like him as we would like to be.
In the ancient world, many who misunderstood God’s love valued people according to categories. Some of the Pharisees reportedly prayed each day, “Thank you God that I am not a Gentile, a woman or a slave.” Paul, a former Pharisee, saw God throw this saying upside down in Philippi. There a woman and a slave and a Gentile all became followers of Christ.
God is not in the business of building walls but of breaking them down in Christ. Remember when the veil was torn as Jesus died on the cross symbolizing God’s opening of access into his presence to all people in Christ. Here is the good news: in Christ Jesus there is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female. For we are all one in Christ. As we trust him today, he includes us in his family. Look around today and see the people he loves. Welcome them into God’s family through faith in Christ. God who is reconciling creation to himself wants all of his children to come home to him.
