Chosen and United
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Aug 23, 2023
- 2 min read
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:27-29)
Through baptism into the body of Christ, we enter a life changing union with Christ and with one another. First, we become clothed with His righteousness. Secondarily, we are adopted into a new family. Paul proclaimed, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” In Christ, the walls of division the world has tried to build around us crumble.
Our earthly identities and societal labels completely fade away in the light of our new shared identity in Him. We are bound as one, partakers of the same salvation and recipients of God's love and grace. You and I have been placed in the line of the 12 tribes of Judah. Through our faith in Christ, we are grafted into the spiritual lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We are part of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. We are not just recipients of God's promises; we are also heirs—partakers in the divine inheritance of Abraham.
Understanding our identity in Christ entirely changes how we view ourselves and others. It challenges us to see beyond external differences such as skin color and background and embrace the unity we share as brothers and sisters in Christ. Our identity in Christ empowers us to break down barriers, dismantle prejudice, and extend love and acceptance to all people, just as Christ has loved and accepted us.
Practical Application
Remember, you are chosen, united, and part of God's redemptive plan. Walk in the confidence of your identity and extend the love and grace you have received to those around you.
