REVIEW:
We can't preach the message of grace until we've preached the standards of God because grace means nothing until people understand that they've broken the law, and have NO hope of keeping it (100 % guilty before God).
The day that you fell on your knees before Jesus Christ and received Him as Savior, the law had done its work. You saw your sin, you came to Christ.
In a nutshell, these verses plainly explain:
1. The purpose of the Law (convict us).
2. The ONLY way to Christ (faith).
Today’s lesson:
Galatians 3:26-29
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor
female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
26 For you are all sons (Gk. Huios – Someone of full age) of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Sadly, some translate this “children” instead of “sons.” The better translation is definitely “sons.” We are now sons (maturing, full-aged sons) and no longer needing a “tutor” (the law), but able to come to Jesus. We have gone from child/infant to a full-aged son.
Note: The Greek word for a child or infant (Gk. Nepios) is different than son (Gk. Huios). Who is he addressing here? Then he qualifies who it is (those sons of God)“…through faith in Christ Jesus.” This verse, these words are only meant for the believer (one who puts faith in Christ). This verse is NOT to be taken out of its context (as some have done) and teach Universal Sonship. Those ONLY are “…sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
ALL that are sons, are sons THROUGH FAITH (not works, laws, etc.) in Christ Jesus. Shortly, in v. 28, we will see that there are no distinctions.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There are many ways baptism might and has been interpreted. But to stay in the flow of what the Holy Spirit is saying through Paul, I believe this is talking about our receiving salvation at the new birth (baptized into the body of Christ (i.e, placed). Greek Scholar Kenneth Wuest states: “The reference cannot be to water baptism, for that never put a believing sinner in Christ.” Also, it says in I Cor. 11:12 - For by one Spirit (Holy Spirit) we (believers) were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
We are baptized (immersed) into the Body of Christ. This happens at salvation (before we have even had a chance to be water baptized (which we are commanded to do AFTER salvation). We don’t come out covered in water, but covered and washed by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ).
We have “PUT ON” Christ. We have changed from spiritually filthy garments (Isa. 64:6) and put on new garments (we’re clean). We HAVE “put on Christ” and are new creations (II Cor. 5:17, 21 also see Eph. 4:24 & Eph. 6:14).
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Part of a good prayer for a Religious Jew went like this:
“I thank thee, God, that I am a Jew, not a Gentile, a man, not a woman; and a freeman, and not a slave.”
All three of those things are addressed in this passage.
1. RACIAL PREJUDICE
2. SOCIAL STANDING
3. SEXUAL DISTINCTION
Verse 28 spells out the implications of being in Christ.
As far as our standing before God is concerned, all human distinctions are done away with in Christ. This frees the Christian from seeking a superior spiritual status by striving to change his social, economic, ethnic, or sexual status. In Christ, human distinctions of man’s worth are abolished, thus, giving all Christians equality before God.
“…FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.” Amen!!!
NOTE:
While looking down upon a woman is wrong, Woman’s lib is wrong, too. Most women at some point in their life were treated disrespectfully by a man (anywhere from infancy to death). Yes, there are a lot of men who are jerks, BUT that does not eradicate God’s roles for a man or a woman. Male and female, husband and wife and their distinct roles are not bad. God made them (male and female, husband and wife) so BEFORE sin entered the world. So don’t say you have been cursed with being a certain sex, or in being married. Those distinctions are of God and good. Sin is the thing that has messed up our roles as male/female and husband/wife.
This is also true in your ethnic background accept it – don’t fight it. This is also true in social realm, too; you need to accept where you are and that you may never be up there with the “Jones” socially. Who cares, accept where you are and let God bless you there.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
IF one belongs to Christ I (that comes first) THEN one is Abraham’s seed.
If we’re all ONE IN CHRIST, then we, regardless of race, social standing, or sexuality are Abraham’s Seed. What did v. 16 say, but that Christ is Abraham’s seed, now that we are IN CHRIST, we too are by Christ, Abraham’s seed, and thus “…heirs according to the promise.” PTL!
As we are in Christ, the promise is ours. We become heirs of all the promises of God when we are in Christ. This, friends, is according to faith, not law or works.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father lead us into all truth, thy Word is truth. If in any area of our lives and beliefs (and traditions) we have been lead astray from your Holy Word (Bible), we ask that you would open our hearts and eyes to see the glorious Good News of Jesus Christ and to obey those wonderful truths. We pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen!
That brings this week’s teaching to a close. During the summer we will do a lesson every other week.
I look forward to taking you further on this Journey of Faith. I hope you have allowed the law to serve its purpose of showing you your guilt, and driving you to faith in Jesus Christ.
