Welcome to “Going Deeper with the Word” In this segment, we welcome people of all backgrounds, religious or not, to review the Word of God. The Word of God provides guidance, direction, and instructions for living our lives and walking with God.
We just talked about finding our place in society. Now, I want us to go deeper into the Word of God together.
Let’s review examples from God’s Word that can lead and guide our steps and back up the principles we learned in today’s message. I will read scripture today from the Amplified Bible.
Let’s start off with Galatians 3:28.
There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority].
Galatians 3:28
In this verse, Apostle Paul makes clear that the labels created by society have no bearing on who we are in Christ. In Christ, we are all one. We are all loved, and we are accepted as we are. Looking at it another way, we are no more or no less than our neighbor, and we are all the same when it comes to salvation.
Can you think of a time that you noticed someone in a group and you felt they were ‘out of place’? What was your reasoning? How was this person treated by you and others in the group? “Let us know in the comments”
Let’s have a look at another place in the Bible that speaks to the idea that all of us are loved and accepted by God.
The Lord is near to all who call on Him,
To all who call on Him in truth (without guile).
Psalm 145:18
In this verse, we are reminded that the Lord is near to all who call on Him. This simple and fundamental truth makes it very clear that God excludes no one.
The fundamental truth is that God is available and accessible to someone who walks closely and intimately with Him day by day and moment to moment, just as much as to someone who lives a life that does not honor Him. No one it out of God’s reach.
I think this illustrates the fact that while we can find ourselves deeply embedded in a community that is not healthy for our faith or our spirit, we can know that in this place and time, God is -still- available to us when we do decide to turn to Him.
Can you recall a season in your life where you lived in a way that was far from God and you believed in your heart that He would not hear you if you called Him? What was your reasoning for this belief? What did you eventually learn? “Let us know in the comments”
Let’s look at one last passage.
Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His].
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Psalm 100:3
Here, again, we are reminded that we belong to God. We are His people and we are His children. I selected this scripture in particular as it points out that God made us, and that we are not defined by what society dictates, but by what God dictates.
As we touched on today’s message, we are all quite accustomed to society shaping who we are. In truth, who we are should only be based on how God sees us, God’s plans for us, and God’s will for us.
Can you recall a relationship in your life where someone communicated to you that you are who you are because of their influence? How did that make you feel? In contrast, how do you feel about God being your creator? “Let us know in the comments”
Thanks for your time today as we continue our series, “Living in the Light.” I hope today’s message was helpful for you to understand how we can find our place in society. Thanks for watching!
Remember, society does not define you. You are a child of God. Yes, your actions and decisions play a role in defining who you are, but know that God has created you for community, for belonging, and for a purpose for this world.
Have an amazing week, and we will catch you next time.
Bless you.
