Day 28

The chosen people are not racially defined, but spiritually defined.

‘This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.’ (EPHESIANS 3:6)

God’s chosen people are all those who are in Christ. Paul describes this as a mystery because it looked very much as though the chosen people of God were the physical descendants of Abraham – the Jewish race. But they fulfilled that role by being the means by which Christ would come into the world. Paul repeatedly explains in his writings that it is not being ‘in Abraham’ that distinguishes the people of God, but being ‘in Christ.’

Jew and Gentile are incorporated together in union with Christ. God’s means of blessing the world has always been Christ, the seed promised to Abraham, and it is now the privilege of Gentile believers to share that status with Jewish believers. Racism is not endorsed by the Gospel, but it is obliterated, for ‘There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise’ (Galatians 3:28-29). Let’s enjoy this all-embracing oneness of all who are in Christ.

How are you welcoming others that are different than you into the church?