Thursday, June 30th
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome PhD DSc DD
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32).
Before Jesus came, God recognized only two races in the world—the Jewish race and Gentile race. A Jewish race was the result of God’s choice and promise to Abraham and his seed. Every other person that wasn’t a Jew was a Gentile, no matter where they came from. When Jesus Christ came, He said in Matthew 16:18, “…I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
In Ephesians 1:22-23, He told us what that Church is: “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” The Church is His Body. Ephesians 5:30 tells us what the Body comprises: “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” So, Jesus said He’d build His Church—His Body—and we’re the members of that Body. Hallelujah! 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
The Church race is made up of those who are born again from among the Jews and the Gentiles. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Ephesians 2:14). In Christ Jesus, there’s neither Jew nor Gentile: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-28).
You lost your identity as a Gentile when you were born again, the same way Paul lost his identity as a Jew when he was born again. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” You’re now a part of the Church race, and that, to God, is the chosen race: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV).
Confession
I carry myself with dignity, knowing my great value and worth in Christ Jesus. I’m chosen, royal and peculiar! I’m seated with Christ, far above all principalities, powers, might, dominions, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come! Blessed be God!
Further Study:
Galatians 6:15
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”
1 Peter 2:9 AMPC
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Acts 15:1-21;
Esther 1-4
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
2 Corinthians 11:1-9;
Isaiah 19
