The Daily Truth: Unity in Christ, Not Erasure of Design - Daily Devotions For Women In Ministry
Day 3: Unity in Christ, Not Erasure of Design - Daily Devotions For Women In Ministry
Day 3: Unity in Christ, Not Erasure of Design
Scripture:
"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus."
– Galatians 3:28
Reflection
Some Scriptures are frequently used to challenge or contradict the broader biblical narrative of God’s heart for women in ministry. One such passage is Galatians 3:28, a verse that some claim erases any distinction in design, identity, or roles between men and women in Christ’s Kingdom. But to understand Scripture rightly, we must remember this key principle: Context is king.
At first glance, Galatians 3:28 seems to say that all distinctions between men and women no longer matter. But what is Paul actually talking about here? When we step back and look at the surrounding verses, we find that Paul is not addressing church leadership or ministry roles—he is speaking about salvation.
In Galatians 3, Paul is countering false teachers who were pressuring Gentile believers to follow Jewish customs, like circumcision, to be fully accepted as God’s people. This teaching created a problem, particularly for women, because circumcision was an exclusively male ritual. If circumcision were necessary for salvation, then women would be excluded from full participation in God’s covenant family. But Paul dismantles that idea, proclaiming that salvation is not based on race, social status, or gender—it is by faith alone in Christ.
Then, in the immediately preceding verses, Paul emphasizes baptism as the outward sign of belonging to God’s family, replacing circumcision. And baptism, unlike circumcision, is for both men and women. This is the heart of Galatians 3:28—it is about unity in salvation, not uniformity in design or function. In Christ, men and women are equally valued, equally saved, and equally loved, but that does not mean God has erased all distinctions between them.
I once read to think of it like an orchestra. Every instrument contributes to the harmony, but each has a unique sound and role. The violin does not become a trumpet, and the trumpet does not become a violin—yet together, they create something beautiful. Similarly, men and women are different by design, but they are meant to work together in God’s kingdom, each fulfilling the role He has called them to.
Unity in Christ does not mean uniformity—it means partnership under God’s greater purpose.
Application
When reading Scripture, always ask: What is the context? Try reading a familiar verse in its full chapter today and see how the meaning deepens. The Bible is not a collection of isolated verses but a unified, God-breathed narrative. If we remove a verse from its intended meaning, we risk distorting God’s truth. Today, take a moment to reflect: Are there Scriptures you’ve misunderstood or taken out of context? Are you willing to let God’s Word shape your beliefs rather than letting your beliefs shape God’s Word?
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your Word, which brings truth and clarity. Thank You that in Christ, I am fully loved, fully accepted, and fully secure. Thank You for making me exactly as You designed, with purpose and intention. Help me to read Scripture rightly, always seeking to understand its true meaning rather than imposing my own assumptions. Give me wisdom and discernment, that I may handle Your Word faithfully and walk in obedience to Your design. Help me to celebrate both unity and diversity in Your church, to honor the differences You have created, and to stand firm in the truth that salvation is through faith alone. Let my life reflect the beauty of Your design and the unity of Your Kingdom. Amen.
Sermon Quote
"Galatians 3:28 is not about ministry, it’s a bold declaration of unity and belonging in Christ...This verse has everything to do with equality in our salvation and identity in Christ, inwardly and outwardly, but nothing to do with ministry or leadership, or preaching."
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Grace and Peace,
Will
Pastor
Ridgeway Community Church, Didcot.