Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.

This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.

In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.

The reading is understandable.

I use the Message version Relatable.

Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.

We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.

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Here's today's reading.

We are reading From Galatians, chapter 3, verses 2329 Reading from the Message until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic Law.

The law like those Greek tutors with which you are familiar who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for.

But now you have arrived at your destination.

By faith in Christ, you are in a direct relationship with God.

Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start.

It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe.

Christ life, the fulfillment of God's original purpose in Christ family.

In Christ's family there is no division into Jew and non Jew, slave and free, male and female.

Among us you are all equal.

That is we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.

Also, since you are Christ family, then you are Abraham's famous descendant heirs according to the covenant promise.

Well friends, that ends the reading here from Galatians 3:23 29 we're talking here about this relationship with God.

And this passage here Paul describes the law is like a tutor as a guide towards maturity.

And he says that we've arrived at our destination and by faith we're in direct relationship with God.

So baptism isn't just a wash, it's being dressed in an adult faith wardrobe.

And then he drops the big line on us here in Christ's family there's no division.

Jew, non Jew, slave free, male, female.

We belong to one another in Christ.

So having shared all this, let me give you some points to ponder some teaching points about this passage.

The first is that baptism dresses us up for belonging, not policing.

Paul's image of a adult faith wardrobe suggests we grow beyond rule keeping as performance into a relationship that empowers love.

Progressive faith sees baptism as a public welcome into a community which is tasked with mercy and justice.

We don't abandon wisdom or boundaries.

We wear Christ's life, courage, compassion, solidarity as our everyday clothes.

That wardrobe looks like accessible care for the vulnerable, truthful storytelling about harm, and practices that center on the common good over image management.

A second point to ponder is this In Christ hierarchy collapses.

So so our communities must change.

No, division wasn't abstract, it challenged the social order.

And a progressive reading of this passage insists we dismantle hierarchies that still wound racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, classism.

Equality in Christ means equal dignity and equal voice.

Women preaching, LGBTQ siblings are fully affirmed and workers protected, immigrants welcomed.

If our structures preserve privilege instead of sharing flourish shared flourishing.

We are out of step with the family crisis formed.

One more point to ponder.

Maturity is responsible freedom.

The law as a tutor helps us to grow and now we use freedom to serve.

Progressive Christianity treats freedom as the capacity to love well.

Joining mutual aid societies or groups advocating for public policies that reduce harm and practicing accountability, we listen to those most impacted, we repair when we're wrong, and we aim for our freedom towards towards collective healing, not personal loopholes.

Here's an action step for this lesson.

Practice equal seat hospitality, that is Invite someone you don't usually share a space with a neighbor, co worker, church member, somebody from a different background perhaps, and invite them into your space.

It might mean a walk together or sitting down for coffee or a meal together and just invite them into your world, your space and then ask what helps you feel fully belong to something and listen.

Don't try to fix things, just listen.

So at church or in your team or at workplace, add some belonging practice, rotate who speaks first and provide for some mutual aid, fund for medical housing needs or give some feedback where marginalized voices are prioritized and commit to some advocacy step either by emailing your representatives or something about equal health care perhaps, or access for worker protections or amplify local organizations led by those most impacted.

This is about small steady changes that embody a no division family that Paul describes here.

We're going to come back and have a prayer here to close things in a moment, but I want you to know that we have a resource for you we really would love you for you to pick up.

It's called the ABC123 Bible Study Method and You can get it at our website, voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.

God of welcome.

Thank you for addressing us in Christ life.

Courage for when we're timid, compassion when we're tired, solidarity when we're tempted to avoid hard roads.

Grow us beyond policing into belonging.

Topple the hierarchies that keep children apart and teach us responsible freedom that serves the common good.

Bless caregivers and patients, the overwhelmed and the overlooked.

Meet us in hospital corridors and even on wooded trails in family group chats and laughter at children.

Make our churches and neighborhoods equal seat tables where dignity is shared, voices are trusted and your love leads us together.

No division, just real family life.

Amen.

My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.

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Thanks much.

My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.

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Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.