Hey mums, did you know we're all ONE in Jesus?!
Galatians 3:26 -28. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male or female, for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus.
When Paul wrote this verse to the Galatians he wanted to remind them to not give up the freedom that had been won for them on the cross through Jesus' death. Instead of embracing freedom they were being tempted to follow the old laws, rules, regulations, structures. It was almost like the freedom was too much. They wanted more structure, more control. More boxes to tick and cross that would assure them whether or not they were 'in' or 'out'.
But Paul reminds them that only faith in Jesus' work on the cross brings you into God's family. Nothing more, nothing less.
Sometimes I wonder if as Christian parents we take away from the freedom we have under Christ by creating (and defending) our own distinctions. With the unspoken implication being that those who are doing it 'properly' are more Christian.
Here are some sweeping generalisations that I've experienced in my time as a mum.
Homeschooling (more Christian). Working mother (less Christian). Daily family devotionals (more Christian). Strict sleep routines (more Christian). Child watches television (less Christian). Immaculate house (more Christian). Lunches from school canteen (less Christian). Perhaps you've had experiences of this in your own context. And each context has it's own subtleties.
But as Paul has reminded the Galatians, there isn't a more or less way of being a Christian. You either trust in Jesus or you don't. It's free. It's simple.
Comments
Very interesting. :)
I always thought those sorts of generalisations were about as legitimate as mums who think because their child has gets it's teeth early/walks early/is toilet trained early guarentees them a membership of mensa.