TODAY’S SIGNATURE VERSE ••• 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 3:28 NKJV)
PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• We wear a lot of labels: Wife. Mother. Husband. Father. Daughter. Son. We also wear labels that tell what we do: Nurse. Teacher. Lawyer. Firefighter. Policeman. Labels take all forms for a variety of purposes.
For centuries, people have worn labels. None of this is new. But labels aren’t supposed to define us; they are only supposed to describe us.
But in this culture, the labels put on people — or in many cases, self-imposed labels — are not merely adjectives. These are words, colors, or even flags that people use to try to define their whole identity. Many are using practically the whole alphabet to label themselves in an attempt to find a definition. And while I love some good color coding, that sort of system is better left to a filing cabinet, not as a way to define human beings.
And it’s sad. No matter how you feel about the culture or even whether or not you believe in God… it’s a sad commentary on our times when people think their entire identity is wrapped up in their genitalia and what they do with said genitals.
Whether that’s how you see yourself, or if you define yourself another way — it’s incredibly sad. People are so much more than their labels — whether those labels are given, assigned, or claimed.
It applies to all of us — we are so much more than a label.
All people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and until we, as created beings, acknowledge our Creator, any labels or definitions we give ourselves will fall short because our true identity is only found in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:28-29 says, “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. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” I have heard of this verse taken seriously and majorly out of context, especially in recent years, so let’s look at it in the correct light…
To sum it up very simply — Paul didn’t deny there are two genders. He said the labels aren’t what defines you. Your relationship with Jesus does. And if you belong to Jesus through faith in Him, you are a child of God; an heir to the promises made to all who have repented and turned to Him.
To be in Christ means we identify in “our heavenly position, not our earthly condition” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, page 1914). And if we are concentrating on our heavenly position, we will make choices that bring God honor and glory. We will wear labels like Christian. Godly. Holy. Loving. Righteous. Labels that depict us as followers of Jesus.
As people search for meaning and identity and a sense of belonging — nothing will offer the security of knowing who we are and whose we are when we surrender to Christ.
Today, as you pray, as God to bring revival. As Him to bring a tidal wave of hope to this broken world where people are self-imposing labels as a definition and categorizing themselves according to worldly ways. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see You through the labels you wear. And if you’re struggling with your own identity, pray that God will show you the truth about yourself through prayer and His holy Word.
SHARING ••• My Grace-Full Life is written by Denise Heidel. You are welcome to share anything I write, but please credit my writing and graphics accordingly. Visit www.MyGraceFullLife.com to read past blogs. Subscribe through my website to have My Grace-Full Life delivered to your email. You can unsubscribe at any time. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the NKJV translation.
