Friday, July 17, 1998
Friday, July 17, 1998
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)
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 that 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."
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe in me because of you. Thank you! Amen.
Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA