Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

Galatians 3: 28-29 (NRS)

There is no longer Jew nor Greek, there is no longer slave nor free, there is no longer male nor female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

These words were written by Paul to the churches in Galatia half a century after Christ’s death and resurrection. Paul was making a distinction between the Hebraic law that guided humans before Christ’s life on earth and the law of love that now must guide us all. This is the same law Jesus references as the second commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If we are guided in our lives by love, we see each other as equals, all humans created by God and redeemed by the life of Jesus Christ. 

Paul’s words are borne out in our American history. We moved to Blount County about five years ago for its beauty. Only recently I have been discovering its rich history. There is a little town near here named Friendsville after the Quaker residents who have lived there for more than two centuries. In the years before the Civil War, the Quaker friends demonstrated that “we are all one” with their lives. Because they did not believe in slavery, they participated in the Underground Railroad, assisting runaway slaves fleeing to the north and free states. Stories from that time tell of a large cave where the Friends hid the runaways, fed and clothed them, and guided them to the next safe place. One source states that the Friendsville Quakers aided up to 2,000 people. They risked their own lives to free others whom they viewed as their equals under God. 

The courage and faith of the Friends, and the courage of Christians today, challenges me. I am not marginalized by race or financial status. I have always felt comfortably in the middle. But what have I done for those who are marginalized today? How does my life reflect the Biblical statement that “we are all one?” When I am honest with myself, I realize that I have not always lived a life that reflects this commitment. The words of Paul and Jesus are eternally true. We must learn to love one another and live as one. 

Let us pray:

Dear Lord, help us to remember that we are one and that we can only fulfill your commandment by loving our neighbors near and far. Thank you for those in history whose lives are examples of your love. Help us to follow your path forward. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

This devotional was written by Laura Derr and read by Joey Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.