²⁵ But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶ for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. -Galatians 3:25-29

Paul’s main argument in the book of Galatians is that you don’t need to do add anything to what Jesus has already done. Adding anything to what Jesus has already done FOR you, is like taking a sharpie marker to a Michelangelo’s Sisteen Chapel work, and thinking you’ll be improving it. If you try to improve it, you ruin it!

While women may not want to think of themselves as “sons,” at this time Paul chose the word “sons” b/c the sons were only ones who received an inheritance. For folks who have been told, “You need to add more laws, or in essence become Jewish before you could become a “real” Christian,” can you imagine the burden being lifted? Women, slaves, now included, instead of excluded? Yes! Don’t let anyone tell you that you need to add anything to what Jesus has done for you. Not their personal preferences, performance, politics, patriotism, profession. He is sufficient by His own merit.

In Christ, there are only those who have received full inheritance based solely upon Jesus. We each have gifts, a background, a history, a culture, and skills to bless our church families and the family of God spread across the globe. We don’t lose all distinctions, (I’m still an American middle aged dude and not a woman), but those distinctions no longer divide us, because they no longer take priority to our ultimate identity and union with King Jesus. We add to each other, but add nothing to Jesus work.

No matter the future, we have a promise today. Let us hold on to Him, who holds on to us.