Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Galatians 3:26-4:7 (NIV)
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. 4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
What are some social and cultural barriers in our time?
Holy Father, there is division in this world. There are people who try to make our differences about the amount of melatonin in our skin, our heritage, or our political beliefs to be the issues that divide using skepticism, mistrust, and hatred. Our Faith in You makes each person equal with each other. There is no excuse for discrimination, prejudice, or hatred. Paul does not say that differences do not exist; rather, he says these differences simply do not matter. In Christ, the old distinctions have disappeared, for in You there is no inferiority or superiority based on external differences. Your love for each and every one of us is even greater than the love a parent has for their child. You sent Your Son to be born in this world. He obeyed the law so that we can be free from the law. You adopted each of us as sons and daughters. We are no longer slaves of the law or slaves of the world, but you have set us free to experience our rightful heritage in You. You sent Your Spirit into our hearts so that we can know You as our Heavenly Father. As a result, we can address You in the same intimate way that Jesus addressed You. When we know Your love for us, You give us a love for others. Lord, thank you that you have poured Your love into my heart by the Holy Spirit. Help me to love others in this same way, to care passionately for all people no matter what their background, heritage, or social standing. We are all precious members of Your heavenly family and co-heirs with full access to Your inheritance. Help me to overcome divisions with Your great love. Let us worship You together in unity as Your family here on earth until we are joined together with the entire family of faith from all generations and all nations in Your eternal kingdom of Glory. Thank You, Father, for the precious gift of Your family. Amen