“You Are All One in Christ” (Gal 3:28,29)

Paul was inspired to write to the saints that there is no distinction in the calling of God. Everyone is a freeman of the Lord regardless of their status in the world. Christ is all in all; what counts is righteousness, love with faith in him (1 Cor 7:19; 11:11). The Jews had an advantage in salvation because they were the first nation to enter into covenant relationship with God. Yet they have been a nation of rebels, impudent and stubborn – the rebellious house of Israel (Ezekiel 12:9; 2:8).

God showed His goodness and kindness to us, non-Jews, having justified us by His grace, through the blessings of Abraham, the father of the Jews, so that when we hear and obey God’s word with faith, we may become heirs of God and heirs with Christ Jesus in the hope of eternal life. Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness, it was extended to us also, who believe in our hearts in Jesus. Hence, because we are of faith, we are blessed along with Abraham through a righteousness that is by faith – which Abraham had (Gal 2:16). We are therefore Jews inwardly.

The body of Christ is one for the purpose of reconciliation, ie Jesus reconciling both Jews and Gentiles together to God in one body through the cross. Not all mankind are ‘all one in Christ’, but we are members in him, for Paul says “for as many of you (not all) as were baptised into Christ, have put on Christ” (Gal 3:27). In Jesus Christ we receive adoption as sons of God through faith. Those who have been baptised into the name of Jesus Christ have put on Christ, because of their zeal for the word of God, and have not made provision for the flesh. And these are they who “are all one in Christ” (Gal 3:28). To be one in Christ, the believers should be of the same mind, always agreeing in the Lord with a unity of mind, have the same love of God, being in full accord and of one mind all the time (Phil 2:2).

Bro Timothy L Mwale (Mazabuka, Zambia)