We Are Called to Remember Unity
Ephesians 2:11-22 (NLT)
11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
14 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. 15 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. 16 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.
17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
14 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. 15 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. 16 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.
17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
There are signs that the pandemic may be over for most of us. But why are we not a more united people and country as a result of surviving such a terrible disease in the history of mankind? There was so much indecision on the part of many as to whether to get vaccinated, wear a mask, go to school, go to the office. All these issues seemed to divide us, which was a real concern. We were driven apart by personality differences, strategic differences, even racial differences.
What can be done about this division and separation?
In this scripture, Paul focuses on the fact that “in Christ, both Jew and Gentile are united; there is racial reconciliation across all nations.” Paul tells us to “remember” that Christ has created unity and racial reconciliation.
We are not called to establish our unity, but we are called to reflect the unity that Christ has established. We need to remember this fact when we are faced with the conflicts that challenge us and which try to divide us. Remember, Christ’s blood on the cross has made us one. He has destroyed the barrier.
Paul affirms that unity is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” It has been said that “unity is encouraged through increasingly thinking as Christ thinks,” which can come about through our Bible study taught by God’s messengers. Paul is focused on Christ as the chief cornerstone.
If we focus on Christ and elevate Him, we find that instances of difference fade into insignificance beside the majesty of the Lord. All people are drawn to Christ when the Son of man is lifted up by us.
Notice Paul’s graphic phrase, “You too are being built to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” If we rely upon the Spirit, it could be that our sharp tongues will be softened, our minds sharpened, and our hearts tempered, so we may then be formed more after the image of Christ, and more united to one another in Christ.
Therefore, all reconciliation is further encouraged by the gospel. If we remember the gospel and that we are united, we should use language that reflects our unity. It means a constant focus upon Christ. It also means the empowering presence of the Spirit. At this time of Advent and the celebration of the birth of Christ, let us remember that Christ has united us which should help eliminate our differences.
Prayer: Almighty God, who through your prophets foretold a day when we would be united, and who then united us with your blood on the cross, let your Spirit be with all people so that we will not hate, not be hostile or self-seeking and will find peace in your Son, Jesus Christ, at this time of Advent. Amen
What can be done about this division and separation?
In this scripture, Paul focuses on the fact that “in Christ, both Jew and Gentile are united; there is racial reconciliation across all nations.” Paul tells us to “remember” that Christ has created unity and racial reconciliation.
We are not called to establish our unity, but we are called to reflect the unity that Christ has established. We need to remember this fact when we are faced with the conflicts that challenge us and which try to divide us. Remember, Christ’s blood on the cross has made us one. He has destroyed the barrier.
Paul affirms that unity is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” It has been said that “unity is encouraged through increasingly thinking as Christ thinks,” which can come about through our Bible study taught by God’s messengers. Paul is focused on Christ as the chief cornerstone.
If we focus on Christ and elevate Him, we find that instances of difference fade into insignificance beside the majesty of the Lord. All people are drawn to Christ when the Son of man is lifted up by us.
Notice Paul’s graphic phrase, “You too are being built to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” If we rely upon the Spirit, it could be that our sharp tongues will be softened, our minds sharpened, and our hearts tempered, so we may then be formed more after the image of Christ, and more united to one another in Christ.
Therefore, all reconciliation is further encouraged by the gospel. If we remember the gospel and that we are united, we should use language that reflects our unity. It means a constant focus upon Christ. It also means the empowering presence of the Spirit. At this time of Advent and the celebration of the birth of Christ, let us remember that Christ has united us which should help eliminate our differences.
Prayer: Almighty God, who through your prophets foretold a day when we would be united, and who then united us with your blood on the cross, let your Spirit be with all people so that we will not hate, not be hostile or self-seeking and will find peace in your Son, Jesus Christ, at this time of Advent. Amen
Lou Costanzo, Christ United Methodist Church, Wheeling, WV lcostanzo@costanzocpas.com. Certified Lay Minister Candidate
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