PUT ON CHRIST

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:23-29).

"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Gal. 1:3-4).

Dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate St. Olha's day, we are reminded by our most ancient chronicle that she was the first open Christian ruler of our land. The Chronicle writes about our pagan forefather, "They were bringing sacrifices to idols, calling them gods, they were bringing their sons to them and bringing offers to demons and they were putting abomination on their land…"

At the same time it writes of results of Olha's conversion about 1050 years ago, "She was cleansed by the holy washing. She put off old clothing of old Adam. And she put new Adam on, that is Jesus Christ… First of the whole Rus she entered the Kingdom of Heaven… Even after her death she prays for her country. For souls of righteous ones do not die…"

It is interesting to see how Nestor, the Chronicler writes of Olha's conversion. In fact, he uses our Bible text for today to explain what has happened to our noble princess.

St. Paul Epistle describes mankind's situation till Christ came. It is written, "But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." We all were under the Law. The Law points to all the sins of all men. It does not say, "You are a better man. You sinned less." It does not say to another person, "You are a worse man. You sinned more." No, it says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Every single person is a sinner. And payment is the same to all the people for their sins, - eternal death.

That was true about Princess Olha. She was a ruler of mighty country. But worldly titles, richness and glory and even hard work do not take sins away and do not add God's glory to a human being. Olha was the first of Rus to enter the Kingdom of God because God cleanesed her of all her sins by washing of the Holy Baptism in the Name of the living God. It is written, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

That was also true about us. We were sinful. We were doomed to eternal death in hell. But God the Holy Spirit by His Word and water has washed us of all our sins. Both Olha and we went through the great miracle in the Baptism - we put on Christ.

For this purpose the Son of God became true man. True God assumed human nature to be under the Law for us and keep perfectly for us in our place. He took all our sins and died for them on the cross of Calvary. Of this His great work of redemption is written, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God" (1 Peter 1:18-21).

Princess Olha belived in that. She trusted the Word of God that se was redeemed by Christ's precious blood poured for her and that she was declared righteous by His glorious resurrection, so that we could confess with Apostle Paul, " We have been baptized into Christ, we have put on Christ."

Our sins were washed away by Baptism. Of them it is written, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like" (Gal. 5:19-21). By Baptism we have put on Christ's righteousness. Of its fruit Apostle Paul writes, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22, 23).

Why we are not under Law any more? The Lord explains, "But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

God does not see sinful princess Olha any more. He can see saint princess Olha. Why is she His saint? Because she has put on Christ's righteousness. God put that righteousness on Olha in her Baptism. God does not see us as sinners anymore as well. We have put on Christ's righteousness in our Baptism and God can see Christ's love, Christ's perfection, Christ's mercy in each of us.

It does not matter what race or nationality we are. What matters is Christ. What matters is our faith in Him. As it is written, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus… There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

As we are Abraham's seed we are God's posterity, we are His Israel. Our prospective is changed. It is not punishment and death anymore. We have a wonderful prospective of eternal life in God's Kingdom. And the Lord Jesus Christ strengthens this prospective by inviting us to commune His real body and blood in the Supper.

Olha has been changed by the Lord. Her way of life changed. Her customs and habits changed. She is a good example to follow. May her example of faithfulness to Christ strengthen us today so that by her example we continue to commit ourselves and all our lives to Christ, our only Savior. Amen.

Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (Gal. 6:18).