Background:
Paul says God treats everyone on the same basis that we all have sinned (Romans 3:23). Everyone needs to repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19). We’re all saved in the same way by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). “In Christ Jesus [we] are all children of God through faith” (Galatians 3:26). In Jesus, God embraces us equally. While we enter God’s family by being “born again,” Paul uses the concept of adoption to describe our standing in the family. We can immediately claim our status and enjoy our full privileges as His children “God has made you also an heir” (Galatians 4:7). We are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).
Reflect:
When have you doubted your value as a person due to the opinions, expectations, or biases of others? How does knowing all God’s children are His image-bearers help you love those who are different from you?
My Comments to You:
When I read Xochitl’s encounter with the ice cream clerk, my reactions were the same as hers. I was furious. The past Trump Administration brought out our country’s latent racism. When you encounter similar situations (and you will), use Xochitl’s example and pray for the individual. Repenting from your bitterness, ask God to give you a spirit of forgiveness.
The apostle Paul declares that believers in Jesus are “all children of God through faith,” equally valued and beautifully diverse. We are intimately connected and intentionally designed to work together (Galatians 3:26–29). When God sent His Son to redeem us, we became family through His blood shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins (Galatians 4:4–7). We are God’s image-bearers. Our worth cannot be determined by others’ opinions, expectations, or biases. What are we? We’re children of God.
My Prayer for Us:
Father God, please help us see ourselves and others through Your eyes. Help us love with Your heart as we encounter people different from us.
Our Daily bread Ministries (2021/16/12) What Are You? Xochitl Dixon, retrieved from www.odb.org 16/12/2021, What Are You?