Scripture: 

Galatians 3:26-29, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Identity in Christ

Knowing our identity in Christ needs to come first. In today’s first passage, Paul helps by explaining to us what it means to have our identity in Christ and what that actually looks like.

Galatians 3.26-29 “26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 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 no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

Genesis 12.1-3: “1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Unity Together Through Christ

Through love, grace, and hope, we can model unity together as the Church for the rest of the world regardless of the circumstances that surround us. 

1 Corinthians 12.12-14: “12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body - whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

Practical Ways to Build Unity: 

- Pray for and with each other. 

- Be willing to actively pursue people with an open mind. 

- Be mindful of what you post on social media. Posts should be made in an effort to build unity rather than division. 

Celebrating Differences: Different Giftings but One Purpose

Sometimes we are going to have disagreements, whether throughout life, about our political beliefs, or even about spiritual giftings. By remembering our purpose and calling from Jesus, we can resolve conflict and work towards the best outcome.

1 Corinthians 12.15-19: “15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be?

John 13.34-35: “34 ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’”