Remember the Galatians question: Is salvation received through the law or through faith in Christ? Galatians 3:26-29 is about salvation. There are no half-saved believers, no stepchildren, no second-class citizens in the Kingdom. Salvation is full, free and equal.
Salvation and sonship are spiritual realities. They remain true even while earthly roles continue:
- We still carry passports or papers showing our respective nationalities. Though spiritually we are sons of God, we still need to learn our roles as earthly citizens (Matthew 17:24-27; John 19:11; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17).
- Christians who are slaves, servants and employees still serve and need divine guidance for their roles (Ephesians 6:5-6; Colossians 4:22-25; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; 1 Peter 2:18).
- Each believer is still a female or a male and needs God’s guidance for her or his assigned roles (1 Corinthians 7; 11; 14; Ephesians 5; Colossians 3; 1 Timothy 2, 3, 5; Titus 1, 2; 1 Peter 3).
We have surveyed centuries of history with many passages that reflect God’s choices about roles. Galatians 3 reflects God’s choice about salvation “in Christ.” Both are God’s choices! Since these choices come from the same infinitely wise God, they are fully compatible. Salvation is not opposed to roles and roles are not opposed to salvation.