One in Christ: Breaking Down the Walls That Divide Us

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”— Galatians 3:28 (NIV)

When Paul penned these words, they shook the foundations of the first-century church. His message was revolutionary. In a world stratified by ethnicity, class, and gender, Paul dared to proclaim that in Christ, the walls dividing people no longer determined their worth or standing before God.

The early Church was fragile and diverse—Jews and Gentiles wrestling with different religious traditions, slaves and free citizens navigating stark social divides, men and women bound by rigid cultural expectations. And yet, Paul announced that the cross leveled the ground for all.

The Radical Heart of Unity

Unity in Christ isn’t a side benefit of the Gospel—it’s central to it. Jesus didn’t just come to reconcile us to God; He came to reconcile us to each other. In Him, we discover a new identity: not Jew or Gentile, not slave or free, not male or female, but children of God standing together as one family.

This doesn’t erase our differences. Our cultures, languages, and life experiences remain, but they no longer define our ultimate identity. Instead, they become threads woven into a larger tapestry of grace.

A Mirror to Today’s World

Fast-forward to today, and we still see how deeply division marks our society—racial tension, political polarization, economic disparity, gender inequality. Even the Church is not immune. Too often, we allow earthly categories to overshadow our heavenly citizenship.

Paul’s words challenge us not to ignore those differences, but to live as though Christ is greater than all of them. To embody a community where the Spirit overrules prejudice, where love is stronger than tribalism, and where our allegiance to Jesus outweighs every lesser loyalty.

Living the Call

Unity in Christ is not something we manufacture; it is a gift we receive through the Spirit. But Scripture is clear: we are called to protect it (Ephesians 4:3). That means:

• Examining our own hearts for prejudice or pride.

• Pursuing reconciliation where relationships have been strained.

• Celebrating diversity as an expression of God’s creativity.

• Choosing Kingdom identity first in a world pulling us toward division.

A Witness to the World

When the Church lives out Galatians 3:28, it becomes a countercultural witness in a fractured world. It declares: In Christ, walls come down.

Imagine a community where Democrats and Republicans worship side by side, where rich and poor break bread together, where cultures blend in praise, where men and women serve shoulder to shoulder. That’s not a dream—it’s the reality of God’s Kingdom breaking into the present.

The question is not whether this unity exists in Christ. It already does. The question is: will we live like it?

Gospel Songs to Accompany You Worship

• “We Are One in the Spirit (They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love)” – a simple, powerful anthem of Christian unity.

• “The Church’s One Foundation” – hymn reminding us of the unity and holiness of Christ’s Church.

• “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” (Donnie McClurkin) – rooted in Ephesians 4:5.

• “Make Us One” – Jesus Culture – a heartfelt prayer for unity.

• “The Blessing” – Kari Jobe & Elevation Worship – celebrates generational and communal unity in Christ.

• “Build Your Church” – Elevation Worship & Maverick City – strong declaration of unity in God’s Kingdom.

• “I Need You to Survive” – Hezekiah Walker – a powerful, corporate declaration of love and unity.

• “Unity” – The Winans – a gospel classic crying out for oneness in the body of Christ.

• “Total Praise” – Richard Smallwood – a unifying worship anthem embraced across denominations.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for tearing down the walls that divide us and for making us one in Christ Jesus. Forgive us when we allow pride, prejudice, or fear to fracture the unity You have already given us through Your Spirit. Teach us to see one another through Your eyes and to love as You have loved us. Make our churches, our homes, and our lives a testimony of reconciliation and grace. Let the world know we are Yours—not by our sameness, but by the love that binds us together. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, through a people united in You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.