Freedom — For Good Works – Friday
TODAY’S VERSE
Galatians 3:27-28
And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (NLT)
Have you ever been labeled something that just wasn’t true? Or something that was hurtful? Maybe you had an identity given to you by someone who was totally different than you. This was normal for the early Church. These labels were made to put others down, divide people groups, and create inequality between everyone. All of this contradicted the way Jesus wanted the Church to be.
Jesus came to redeem His creation, which meant these labels were no longer relevant. He gave everyone a new identity so they could live united under His name for His name’s sake. We are given a new identity as a community to be baptized in the name of Christ. This enables us to live with Him as our common ground, which changes the way we see the false labels the world tries to put on us. This community, grounded in truth, should remind us of our new identity in Christ.
When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, not only do we receive a new identity, we also receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit works within us to transform us more into the image of Christ through a process called sanctification. And it’s through this process our qualities are redeemed to reflect Jesus. Redemption is grace on display individually and collectively. Jesus and the Spirit’s redemptive, sanctifying work has continued from the first century to today in and through a body of people known as the Church.
Jesus doesn’t want us to stay stuck in our old ways. The characteristics in us that don’t fully align with His heart need to be taken to His feet. This is when Jesus has the best opportunity to redeem these qualities, because we’ve released our need for control. The characteristics that display selfishness, greed, pride, self-righteousness, or anything not of the Lord need to be redeemed by the only One who can provide redemption. Jesus wants us to grow into holiness, being set apart, so that His heart and His character are clearly seen in us. We have characteristics that allow us to be a witness for others to know Jesus; let those be redeemed by Jesus!
APPLICATION
What are some qualities you need to lay at the feet of Jesus for Him to redeem in you? Write those down and pray for Jesus to redeem those qualities.
PRAYER
Lord, take my shortcomings and make them into gifts that glorify You. I surrender my characteristics that may deter people from You and soften my heart to Your working in my life. Thank You for calling me into a community focused on You.