‘Women’s Renewed Position in Christ’

Daily Devotional–Thursday, June 24, 2021

“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, NLT)

After God finished His work of birthing the Creation into existence and then calling it all ‘very good,’ He and His creatures enjoyed a relationship of unimpeded community…until the day that the first man and woman disobeyed God. The entrance of sin into this perfect creation introduced a malignant force, ever in opposition to God, that is capable only of creating devastation and ruin, bringing with it death and destruction. The results of sin are many—infecting humanity’s relationship with the planet, with each other and with their Creator. God told them as much in Genesis 3:14-19—He proclaims the serpent cursed for what it has done and promises his eventual defeat at the hands of a future human offspring (Jesus); the earth is now cursed because of the humans’ disobedience and they will now have to fight for survival; the task of ‘multiplying and filling the earth’ will now be fraught with pain; and in her desire for her husband, the woman will give over God’s place in her life to man and man will assume the position of god in their relationship, ruling over her rather than with her. These are not judgements meted out by God, but rather statements of fact. The introduction of sin into creation was going to directly affect everything.

The truth of God’s warning is too evident in our world’s history and remains even to this day. The human race has been in a constant struggle—for survival against nature; for domination in human relationships; and in our rejection of God in favour of self. Specifically, with regard to the ‘suitable helper’ provided by God to man, patriarchy has been allowed to dominate and overtake the rule of creation by equals. But, the shift away from human equality has not simply been segregated to gendered relationships. All hierarchies, whether along the gender divide or race or class are all results of the fall. But God promised, even on that terrible evening in the garden so many long years ago, that He was not going to allow sin to have the final say. A future child of the woman would one day come and defeat the serpent and return God’s creation to its original state—renewing all relationships between nature and humanity, man and woman, humanity and God.

Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross did far more than simply make a way for us to enjoy forgiveness of sin, renewed relationship with our Maker and an eternal home in heaven. Jesus defeated sin! Jesus defeated death! Jesus is making all things new! God, through the work of Himself through His Son, is working toward the eventual return of all things to ‘very good.’ All relationships previously distorted by sin can now experience the freedom that is available to us through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection. We no longer have to live as slaves—we can be God’s loved and forgiven children. Men and women, regardless of ethnicity or status, no longer have to live under sin-inspired hierarchies—we can know what it means to work together as equals. We no longer have to live as prisoners to sin and its outworking—we can experience true freedom in Christ. To say otherwise, is to reduce the redemption that Christ accomplished.
~ Pastor Jane
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For further study - https://www.crosswalk.com/.../spi.../what-is-redemption.html
#hopechapel #collingwoodchurch #devotional #redemption #Genesis3 #Galatians3 #equality