For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:14-22, ESV.
Sinners of every ethnic, racial, and political stripe come to Jesus. They come divided and even hostile to one another. But when they come to Him, the many become “one new man.” The hostility is removed. They become citizens of a new kingdom and members of a new family. They are built up into a new temple, a new dwelling place for the Holy Spirit of God. The saving work of Jesus on the cross does not rescue sinners from the hell they deserve just so they can continue in their individualistic division and hostility. That is the way of the world they are saved out of. The gospel that rescues is a gospel that binds. Christian unity is not some pie-in-the-sky dream, but the genuine result of the reconciling work of Jesus, binding us to God and one another. This Sunday, we gather again for worship. Some will wear masks. Some will forgo wearing masks. Some will be glad to see social distancing. Some will think it unnecessary. There will be many different opinions about the hot social and political topics of our day. Even so, our united testimony to one another and the world will be this: “We follow Jesus and we love one another because He loved us.” See John 13:34-35. Looking forward to this Lord’s Day and praying for you, Pastor Don Comments are closed.
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From Pastor DonWriting about the Bible and praying that it will be of some good for someone. Archives
June 2021
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