Friday, March 28, 2014

Jesus: More Than a Nationality

"28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3: 28) 

We are not saved because of our nationality. John the Baptist did away with such self-righteousness:

"And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." (Matthew 3: 9)

God even reproached His people during the ministry of the prophets:

"A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?" (Malachi 1: 6)

Jesus fulfilled this honor, by the way, because we never could:

"Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me." (John 8: 49)

Now, as far as nationality is concerned, every person who believes in Jesus Christ has been brought into a new kingdom:

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Colossians 1: 13)

We are also brought into a new country, so to speak:

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" (1 Peter 2: 9)

Not just any nation, but a royal nation, a priesthood endowed with His grace and righteousness (Romans 5: 17), when God had hoped that every Israelite would receive this standing (Exodus 19: 6)

In Christ, we are more than an earth-bound ethnicity or nationality, but we should rejoice in our new, royal, and eternal standing in Christ:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

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