When I read this morning’s scripture, God nudge me on a few things.  The bible verse of the day comes from Galatians 3:28:

Now, in Christ, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or free, male or female. You are all the same in Christ Jesus.

First of all, I read that and (prompted by the Holy Spirit) added a few components to say, “it doesn’t matter if you are black, white, or any other nationality, rich or poor, young or old, republican or democrat…you are all the same in Jesus Christ.” Now, you must understand that Paul penned God’s words here to be directed to those who had been baptized into Christ (You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This shows that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. verse 26).
Secondly, during this season of division of various forms in our country, and especially now that we are holding elections in many states, we need to remember to keep The Main One the main thing in our lives.  If you are a Child of God…behave like one, think like Christ, and demonstrate His love to others by doing the right thing.
The final thought, after reading this verse, was how we need to remember, or know, that being a Christian isn’t a religion, it is about a relationship. (Read Galatians 3 in its entirety here to see where this thought originated from.)
I’d written about this topic before:
Click here to read “Religion or Relationship”
Click here to read “Don’t Just Know of God, Really Know Him”
When people ask me about my religion, my body tends to cringe a bit (without them knowing). My faith is not based on if I attend church, if I pray, if I ask for forgiveness, or any other systematic response that may occur in my life…it is based on my relationship with Jesus Christ. Sure, I attend church, pray, ask for forgiveness, and so on, but it is because I love my Savior and strive to be more like Him, and desire to know Him in an intimate way.  Why?  Well…He’s pretty cool, He knows what is best for my life, His ways are better than my ways, and He is my Best Friend.
When I hear and read the words “You are all the same in Christ Jesus”, Mandisa’s song comes to mind.  In her song, with TobyMac and Kirk Franklin, some of the lyrics are:

Tell me who are we…To judge someone by the kind of clothes they’re wearin’…Or the color of their skin…Are you black…are you white…Aren’t we all the same inside…Father, open our eyes to see…Only love can drive out all the darkness…What are we fightin’ for…We were made to carry one another…We were made for more…We all bleed the same…We’re more beautiful when we come together…We all bleed the same…So tell me why, tell me why we’re divided…If we’re gonna fight, let’s fight for each other…If we’re gonna shout, let love be the cry…We all bleed the same…Let’s stand united, let’s stand united

(Music video by Mandisa performing Bleed The Same. (C) 2017 Sparrow Records)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVKuA1s5I3o&list=RDHVKuA1s5I3o&t=159
Yes, we are the same in so many ways, but my prayer is for all y’all to be the same with me in Christ Jesus. Believe. Accept Christ as The Boss. Live for Him!
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
Here’s another journal entry/Motivational Monday where I mention a relationship with Jesus: https://soakinguptheson.com/new/daily-journaling/crowned-one-motivational-monday-video-included/
 In the above photo (photo creds go to Cole), I just love how Tim has his arms wrapped around me and we are holding one another! You can have a similar, yet stronger, feeling when you have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Feel His arms around you.

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