Devotional: Christ Equalizes Galatians 3:26-29

Thomas Jefferson and the other writers of the Declaration of Independence held that all men are created equal and they are endowed with certain right given by the creator. Although the words say that all men are created equal the writers did not consider all human beings to be men with rights. Women, slaves, and non white men are not included as men with rights. Today, we are still having problems because too many people are like the writers of the Declaration of Independence and the constitution of the United States of America. Like the writers of these historical documents, there are those that would apply the words in the documents for the benefits of themselves. At the same time they feel free to eliminate all other people from the rights and protections in the documents.

In his ministry the apostle Paul encounters similar problems. The Jews are willing to be saved from their sins through the sacrifice of Christ. The problem is that the Jews believe that they alone possess the Law. Only those who are under the Law have a right to the benefits that Jesus’ death brings. Only those who live by the Law have access to the blessings of God.

Paul writes that it is not the Law that gives one access to the blessings of God. Rather, all who have faith in Christ have access to the Father. Paul distinguishes between the descendants of Abraham according to the flesh and the descendants of Abraham according to faith. Jesus died for all people that have faith in Christ. God declares all people that have faith in Jesus equal. Christ alone equalizes.

Prayer: Father in heaven, we have put our faith in Christ alone. May we see all people as equals because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? Amen.