We are One

Painting by Lance Stirling: One in Christ – Galatians 3:28
Oil on canvas 170 x 145 cm. Regardless of race, colour or social status, all people are considered to be equal in the eyes of God.
http://ststeves.org.au/?page_id=189

One of my favorite verses from the Bible - which also seems to be one of the most ignored verses - is Galatians 3:28:

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

 Wow! Do we ever love putting labels on people who we feel should not be either a) in the Church, b) saved, or c) doing certain work within the Church. He's homosexual. She's a woman. He's too poor. She's black. And the list goes on.

Oh, we say all the right words - "We all are part of the Body of Christ." But how does this translate in our daily lives? Do we truly reflect those words on our daily dealings with others, and in our thoughts?

When we find out a woman is going to be preaching, do we welcome her, or do we immediately think "she's not allowed that position!"?

When we see a black person enter our completely white congregation (or a white person enter into an entirely black congregation), do we sit next to this person, sharing the peace with him/her? Or do we whisper to the person next to us, while pointing and staring at this strange new person?

When someone comes in who is dressed in rags, and appears not to have showered, do we join them and invite them to the potluck following service? Or do we ignore them?

When a known homosexual enters our Church, do we shake their hand and invite them in, or do we put on that "you're not welcome here" attitude?

Just something to think on today:
Do you truly know what it means to be one in Christ Jesus? Or is that just a pretty little line that means nothing? Does your definition of all being one in Christ Jesus mean that we're all one so long as we're all of the same denomination, the same color, the same social and economic status, and the same gender? Or is your definition (and actions) the same as Galatians 3:28?

God bless.