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. (Galatians 3:28 NRSV Bible)
We can begin living the Christ life today. Notice that Paul says in our scripture reading today, "for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." That's important. This is not a sermon on high self-esteem. One of the most futile exercises in the world is to divorce self-esteem from faith. That is the problem with much of the self-help literature on the newsstands. "Believe in yourself," we are told repeatedly. "Believe in yourself, believe in yourself." Look in a mirror and say "I am beautiful, I am beautiful, I am beautiful." For most of us that would be stretching the truth just a little bit.

How can we be beautiful if we are no more than creatures of dust? How can we believe in ourselves if we are no more than cosmic accidents? No, we can truly believe in ourselves only if we believe in God through Jesus Christ. We can truly see ourselves as beautiful only if we see our reflection in our oneness with Christ.

If we take that step of faith, however, tremendous powers are unlocked within. Once you take that step, it doesn't matter whether you are Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, black or white or Hispanic. It doesn't matter if your degree is from Harvard or from Podunk U. You know who you are and you know your life matters. "For all of you are one in Christ Jesus."

Lord Jesus, I believe in me because of you. Thank you! Amen.

Ron Newhouse

Help Feed the Hungry | Help Promote Devotions.Net
| Home | Bible | Devotions | Humor | Visitors