Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
Please read Galatians 3:23-29 for context, Paul is speaking of “children of God”. What stood out to me most in this verse is that true unity among people is found in and accomplished through Jesus Christ. The racial divide we are currently experiencing around us and even in our churches is due to the fact that we are in a fallen world that desperately needs Jesus. Unfortunately, while we will always have to deal with sin for the extent of time that we are on this earth, that doesn’t mean we should shy away from sharing Jesus Christ with everyone. If you want to make a lasting change, start with you. Ask God to renew you in a fashion that is pleasing to Him, then share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all who will listen.
Outside of ourselves, we can stand up for racial justice by supporting groups whose mission is to defend the equality of all people. We do not have to throw our hands up in surrender because we live in a fallen world. God has given us His Spirit to go out into the world and make a change, not just a “physical” change, but most importantly, a spiritual change (which is eternal). Do not neglect your mission during these trying times, do your part and God will handle the rest (Matthew 28:18-20).
Here’s a poem I read by James W. Foley that spoke to me about how much our words can affect others, for the good or the bad, it starts with us no matter how small, you can have an impact.
“Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.
Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget,
But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,
And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;
You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.
Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started them to flow.
Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget,
But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred,
And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave
Till you wouldn’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;
But there’s gladness still a-swelling, and there’s joy a-circling yet,
And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.”
Dear Father, help me to be bold in declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your Word is powerful and effective to transform and renew us. Help me to grow in Christ-likeness so that I can have an impact on others that is pleasing to You. Remove anything in me that causes division, dissension, hurt and pain, to others. Help me to be a proponent of Your love and unity. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!
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