The Grace Card

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

I have many “relatives” who do not look like me. They don’t share my skin color, my eye shape, my country of origin, nor my ancestral heritage. Yet, we all “identify” as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Despite persistent attempts of some to derail the Kingdom of God by promoting ways to divide and isolate people by race, economics, or geography, these “relatives” of mine know better. What empowers us and assures our victory is that we know that we are members of one Body, united by the Holy Spirit. We need to exemplify the cord of three strands, not easily broken. (Eccl. 4:12)

Distractions do abound, but our focus must be on our “marching orders,” and that includes disciple-making by teaching the full counsel of God and having lives that reflect our obedience to it. What we do must align with what we say. The word Christians (children and followers of Christ) identifies who we are. We all may have different adjectives that go in front of our noun of identity -- Christian -- but none of them should divide us.

Staying on point is paramount, if we do not wish to be sidetracked. Our attention must be on the Kingdom of God and His justice. As the Preacher exhorts us in the book of Ecclesiastes: "Fear God and keep His commandments, as this is the whole duty of man” (Ecc. 12:13). This is the prescription that will ensure that our light shines and draws people to our risen Savior.