Neither this nor that - just one in Christ
| There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians3:28) |
Paul had initially preached the gospel to the Galatians, and they received it well. However, over time, they began to follow a different message. Paul calls this a "different gospel," which was no gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-7). Those advocating this message, often referred to as Judaizers, insisted that circumcision and the Law were prerequisites for following Christ, undermining Paul's authority.
In response, Paul emphasizes that salvation is based on the promise made to Abraham, fulfilled in Christ, not on the Law. Circumcision belonged to a particular time before Christ. Now, in Jesus, the promise to Abraham is fulfilled for all who believe---whether Jew or Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised.
Humanity is no longer divided into groups like Jew and Greek, male and female, because in Christ, these divisions are resolved. Christians are clothed in Christ, and being "Christ's" becomes the defining identity for all. Paul assures the Galatians that they, too, are Abraham's children and heirs of the promise, fully united in Christ.
In today's society, categorization---tribes, genders, social status---often leads to divisions, prejudice, and power imbalances. We see this in gender-based violence, as in the recent tragic murders in Limpopo. Such issues arise from seeing some people as insiders and others as outsiders.
For Paul, faith in Jesus Christ makes us sons and daughters of God. This requires shedding worldly categories and realizing that we are all one in Christ Jesus. The categories of Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, no longer define us. Instead, we are a family in Christ.
Amid the divisions in our world, we must remember Genesis 1:27: "So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them." This truth should shape our families and our conduct, as we teach by word and example. Ephesians 5:21 reminds us: "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
As the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Uniting Presbyterian Church, Rt. Rev. Lydia Neshangwe, says: we are "Stronger Together."
Let us demonstrate God's love for each other and the world as believers.
-----------------------------------------------------
Rev Lethabo Mabotja. An ordained minister of the Uniting Presbyterian Church, serving at Stuartville Presbyterian church in the Presbytery of Limpopo.
