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There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.¹

Our past, our nationality, our status, nor our circumstance does not define us. God does!
He calls us and if we stop to listen, he plucks us out from where we are and appoints us for a purpose. God may use anyone—he has used an idolater, a habitual adulterer, even a demon possessed. If we are willing, he frees us, gives us a new heart, and redirects us.

Abraham was Abram to begin with [literally, Av-father; rum-exalted]. He was the son of Terah; they served other gods.² God instructed Abram to separate himself and go to a land that he would show him.³ Abram was a Hebrew [root avar-meaning to cross over].⁴ He was set apart first; then God made a covenant with Abram, appointing him to be the father of a multitude of nations—Abraham.⁵

Jesus came into the world as light, so that whoever believes in him may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.⁶ Jesus intentionally crossed Samaria to engage a Samaritan woman⁷ (The Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans⁸; they were considered a mongrel race since they transgressed by intermarrying with non-Jews and worshiped their gods). Worse she was a habitual adulterer.⁹ Yet, to this Samaritan woman, Jesus reveals that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”¹⁰

Likewise, consider Mary Magdalene—possessed by demons and healed by Jesus.¹¹ We find her standing by the cross of Jesus, with Mary his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary.¹² Mary Magdalene was first to visit Jesus’ tomb. And finding the tomb empty she reported the instance to Peter and John.¹³ Having seen it for themselves and believed they went back to their homes.¹⁴ After, Jesus chose to show himself first to Mary Magdalene (not to the disciples); calling her by name. Mary responded by going and announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” and he had spoken to her.”¹⁵ [Jesus] has saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holly Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.¹⁶

Jesus said, You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.¹⁷

But now thus says the LORD, . . . “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. . . . Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, . . . everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”¹⁸