One in Jesus

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3.28

Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread.

One in Jesus was written by Nancy Gabionis and read by Joyce Dinkins.

Galatians chapter 3 verses 23 through 29.

Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law,

locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.

So the law was our guardian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith.

Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith.

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is their male and female,

for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.

One in Jesus written by Nancy Gabionis.

Watching sporting competitions and meeting athletes was a dream come true for me

when I attended a summer and winter Olympics as a young reporter.

I was enthralled by hearing people from all over the world speaking in different languages

and celebrating their various countries.

I'd been fascinated with the Olympics since I was a teen, but it had become an obsession.

After I said yes to following God while at the summer games,

I felt God was asking me to lay down my idol of sports.

But I still had a love for the nations.

I still enjoy watching the Olympics, but my heart is truly stirred

when people of different backgrounds and from different nations come together

during a church service or gathering to pray and to worship the King of Kings.

What a sweet taste of heaven on earth.

When we remember who we are in Christ, we remember that we belong to God's family

and His family is international.

The Apostle Paul declared to the believers in Galatia,

so in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female

for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

No matter where we're from or where we live,

let's rejoice that as believers we're one in Christ with our brothers and sisters around the world.

Let's pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your global family and the unity we have in Christ.

Help us to rejoice in our shared faith, celebrate diversity,

and live as one body reflecting your love to the world.

In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

As you go about your day, reflect on these questions.

How can you show love to people of different backgrounds?

How can you pray for the nations?

How can you pray for the nations?