Over the last 10 or more years, tattoos have made a big comeback. Have you noticed? I have a brother-in-law who loves Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He rides them, repairs them and more. When he got his first tattoo, guess what it was? That’s right, “Mommy.” Ok, just kidding. Of course it was a Harley-Davidson tattoo! When you enter his home you know he is a fan, because he has a variety of reminders around the home: a phone, a framed photo, coasters… whatever. He has a lot of fun being a Harley-Davidson guy.

I wonder what identifies you? Lots of things, I would guess. I am a husband and a father– big identity markers. I am called by God to be, and work, as a pastor and priest– more big identity markers. You have them, too. Yet, if we are Christians the Bible tells us that something more foundational exists as our identity from God’s point of view.  A recent sermon (July 18) is based upon Galatians 3: 26-29. It is a powerful statement of identity.  “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

With God, our identity as belonging to Christ erases any classification of identity that would separate us: gender, ethnicity (including religious background), citizenship and economic status.  All these are basic dividers in life. But “in Christ” we overcome them and our core identity as equally belonging to God in and through Jesus is established. We are equally heirs of God’s promise to Abraham that God shall be our God and make for himself a people belonging to him. We are heirs of his grace, love, mercy, and Kingdom.

So what does “in Christ” mean? Several times it means simply “by” or “with Christ.” But most often when Paul uses that term, “in Christ,” he means vital belonging– a spiritual fellowship with Christ through the Holy Spirit. This is more than simply believing something or being in proximity of someone. We are joined in Christ. If you are a parent who has watched your kids grow and leave home, you can relate emotionally to this idea of “in.” Many parents say how they feel like their lives changed when their family dispersed as kids moved “out” of the house. The kids will always be family members, obviously, but something qualitative changed when they got older and left. They were no longer “in” as they had been; meaning, something of intimate and vital belonging was lost. O, how blessed we are to never lose such belonging with God!

Until next time, may God richly bless you,

Mark+