FOR JULY 11 : SAVOR THE FLAVOR

[cimi]

July 11
Friday


READ:
Galatians 3:26-29
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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
_____________________________________

America has often been called "a melting pot." But obviously that is not the case. Politicians tend to fuel sensitivity to class and color divisions for their own gain. Gender tensions abound. Generational differences are more marked than ever. In fact, cultural observers are starting to say that the "melting pot" metaphor is out-dated--that the goal should be a cultural "stew" in which the distinct taste of each ingredient is enhanced by the contribution of the other ingredients.

In a world where pride and prejudice abound, Jesus offers us the joy of unity across all the lines that so easily divide us. In His church, the unique flavors of our diverse backgrounds can complement each other, united "through faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:26) and empowered by His Spirit and our submission to His principles. In Him our diversity doesn't divide but rather unites and enriches us as we recognize that we all have Jesus, His Word, and His ways in common. As we embrace Him together, our differences become secondary and our mutual love for Him drive us to love each other as He has loved us.

Jesus is the master mixer! In His kingdom, pride and prejudice are out, and love and mutual acceptance are the order of the day. __Joe Stowell
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`````````````````````Within the church of Jesus Christ`````````````
````````````````````````The joys of unity abound````````````````
```````````````````````When love accepts diversity```````````````
```````````````````And prejudice cannot be found. __Sper`````````
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Christ's love creates unity in the midst of diversity.

*************Today's Bible reading __ Galatians 3:26-29************

26 For you are all sons of
God through faith in Christ
Jesus. 27 For as many of you
as were baptized into Christ
have put on Christ. 28 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. 29 And
if you are Christ's, then you
are Abraham's seed, and
heirs according to the
promise.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on
Christ" (Gal. 3:27). Christ is to the believer the toga virilis (the
garment that a Roman man would put on when he ceased to be a
child). A Christian is in a real sense one who has "put on Christ."
in baptism, we signify by an outer ritual our inner transformation.
Because Christ is the son of God, He makes it possible for us to
be God's adopted sons and daughters. Our union with christ is a
present reality that will endure into eternity. __Dennis Fisher

__Adapted from A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old
and New Testaments