Ephesians 2:14-16 (NLT)
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
This issue of uniting two groups of people into one really is the premise for Christ’s church. Through His crucifixion, Jesus blessed the church with unity…or at least the hope and desire for it. It is His intention, yet we are still very much human. Christ’s church is a new people. We are a new people…and God killed our hostility. When we argue with each other and harbor hostile feelings toward one another, we are in essence exhuming attitudes and behaviors that God meant to remain buried.
May we constantly utilize a ‘character filter’ when we experience differences between each other. It’s totally fine to have differing opinions and ideas…but to act hostile toward another believer is like telling Jesus ‘thanks, but no thanks’ for dying on the cross. This week, may we be thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice and loving hope for His church.
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