DAY 21: Embracing Unity in Christ
In Galatians and Romans, the language of “righteousness by faith” yields to the language of being in Christ. Thus, Galatians 3:24–28: “Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith”; “in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith”; those baptized into Christ have “clothed yourselves with Christ”; and the conclusion, “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 [person] in Christ Jesus.”
Righteousness by faith” is not actually something different from being baptized into Christ and becoming one person with him. Paul employed the language of righteousness and faith when he was using the story of Abraham to argue that circumcision was no longer necessary.
The language that was more natural to him when he wished to describe the believer’s transfer from the power of sin to the power of Christ, however, was dying with Christ, being baptized into him, and becoming one person with him.
Paul moves beyond the concept of “righteousness by faith” to emphasize the profound reality of being united with Christ. This union, symbolized through baptism, transcends societal divisions and underscores the transformative power of faith.
Key Verse:
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” ~ Galatians 3:27
Questions to ponder:
- What does it mean to you to be clothed in Christ’s righteousness? How does this impact your identity and how you interact with others?
- How has your relationship with Christ transformed your life and relationships?
