Day 246 Come!

 

9/3/2026

"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 

 

I love the words of Paul found in the book of Galatians quoted above, spoken to the Christians at Galatia who were being duped into believing they needed to return to the Law. Paul is speaking of the Changeless Promise of our Father in Jesus Christ as joint heirs to the promise of Abraham because of our faith in Jesus as Messiah. Much more God speaks of equality in Jesus Christ. 

In 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Paul was sharing words of counsel to the new believers who were struggling to understand new life in Christ. The culture of this city in Greece was "a bustling hub of worldwide commerce, degraded culture, and idolatrous religion," according to the Bible commentary. Paul is sharing Christ as the Power and Wisdom of God to a church struggling with a history of "factions, lawsuits, immorality, questionable practices, abuse of the Lord's Supper, and spiritual gifts." That's a lot to contend with as new believers in Christ who are probably wondering "why us?" 

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and he weakness of God is stronger than men." 

When God chose Abraham as the father of the nations and the Jews as His chosen people, He said He didn't do it, because they were any better than anyone else. He chose them and gave them the land only to fulfill the word which the LORD swore to their fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 9:4-6). God made a covenant with Abraham, and God always keeps His word. And He keeps His word to us, the Gentiles as well when we come to belief in Christ. We are not special, we are forgiven, and we would do well to remember that we are saved by grace alone, and we cannot work our way to heaven. It is only by the blood of Jesus Christ.

I've been reading the story of Katharine Barnwell (9 August 1938 - 29 September 2025) a British missionary and Bible translator who worked in Nigeria developing a Bible in their Biblical tongue that was common to all. She is one of many unsung heroes of the faith who selflessly gave her life to bring the Gospel and the written word to an African tribe resulting in the spread of the translation in unique ways that reached the continent and influenced others to follow her example and techniques. She worked through the Summer Institute of Linguistics and later with Wycliffe Bible translators.

Although she is not widely known in church or missionary circles, other than the translation world, her contributions to the spread of the gospel were groundbreaking, and in spite of the acclaim she received within her circles, she remained extremely humble, never wanting to be "seen" or "lauded" by others. The glory always belonged to the Lord. What is interesting to me is that because of her unique methods in putting the translation of the gospel in the hands of those who were most capable - the Nigerian tribes themselves, there was division and quite a bit of controversy which was based on jealousy by those who felt themselves more academically equipped to do the job, because they had acquired a PhD in linguistics and other western academics. Katy also was sent off to gain her PhD before being permitted to do the work she innately was trained by God to do, as it was so obvious to all. But men often judge by degrees and accomplishments rather than experience, culture, and God's choice of the best man for the job. I'm used to seeing jealously and pride get in the way of success, but I never thought the mission field would be affected. I imagine at the time it was a most shameful thing for the Nigerian people and even the western staff to witness. At least the work Katy was equipped to do was not hindered, nor was the work the tribe translators were chosen to accomplish, and eventually things worked out.

Katy's life included many wonderful accomplishments, and God used her mightily to accomplish His work in Nigeria and elsewhere. Her methods are still widely used as the best methods for Bible translation. I mention her life as an illustration of how God can use and equip someone totally disregarded by a family member (her father and sister) or in areas where circumstances seem impossible. Katy faced many dangers in Nigeria and other places, but God protected her and taught her to remain calm, trusting, and obedient. Her story is amazing. God can take those people who seem the least likely to accomplish many wonderful things and use them mightily for His purpose and service to turn the world upside down. All He needs is a willing heart.

And God can take seemingly ignorant tribesmen and use them as translators when they lack any formal education, to translate Bibles to be used in the different dialects of their countries and the continent. Great is the faithfulness of our God!  

In the Kingdom of God the opportunities of service are endless, and He invites all to "Come!" He'll provide the training and know how!