.DAILY DEVOTION, Sept. 10, 2021

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26-28).

First, what does “baptism” mean here? Some of my favorite commentators affirm that this is not a reference to water baptism. We do not “put on Christ” by water baptism. We become sons of God by faith. This is probably a reference to Spirit baptism. One of the meanings of the Greek word “baptism” is to dye. When a white cloth is joined with red dye, it changes. When we put on Christ, we are changed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is an outward portrayal of that inward change that occurs when we trust in Jesus.

Then Paul makes another important point. Those who trust in Jesus are one. All human barriers disappear. The distinction between Jew and Greek is gone. The same is true for males and females. All racial, ethnic, and other human differences are obliterated when we trust in Jesus. All who are joined to Christ by faith are also joined with one another. There is no room for prejudice in the family of God. Whatever your occupation, race, or place of origin, Christ brings us into one family. We should all be able to sing, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God.”

Father, I am glad You brought me into Your family. May the Christ whom I trust direct my every step. Thank You for the many brothers and sisters I now have. The colors vary; the languages vary but thank You, Lord Jesus, for bringing us into harmony. In Your name, I pray, Amen.