We live in a culture marked by division. At over 70, I understand there have always been divisions and differences. But as of late it seems all wear labels proudly and boldly, and the division, with that pride and boldness, often seems deeper. In this political season, I have talked with many who are losing friends and relationships over political differences and passions that have made civil discourse seemingly impossible. “So much for freedom of thought and speech if you disagree with me and vote for that person”, seems to be the order of the day. And, that passion has moved out of the bounds of simple disagreement to even hatred. It should not be so among those of us who name Christ as Lord for we are His body. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. This does not mean that we must compromise our beliefs, but it does mean we must respond to others with love, and service, and the gospel in all things.
In this I am reminded that we, as the Body of Christ, serve a King who is known as the Prince of Peace. In the letter to the Ephesians Paul writes of a vision he was uniquely given to bring the gospel to the Gentiles.
[Ephesians 3:1-10 NASB95] 1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles– 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 [to be specific,] that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly [places.]
The concept of Gentiles and Jews being brought together in one group was anathema before Jesus, and pretty much remained so until Paul took the gospel to the Gentiles. Jesus gave examples of it many times with the woman at the well, the good Samaritan parable, and more. But the concept was difficult for the Jews and His disciples to comprehend. The deep division between Gentile and Jew was racial and religious. Paul’s vision and outreach to bring Gentiles to the Jewish Messiah and into His Body solidified the reality of bringing the two together as the purpose of God in Christ.
In an earlier passage in Ephesians Paul speaks of Jesus bringing peace between them. In fact, he is so bold as to speak of them as one new man; essentially as a new creation, a new race. He understood Jesus intention to erase these lines and differences.
[Ephesians 2:8-22 NASB95] 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. 11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” [which is] performed in the flesh by human hands– 12 [remember] that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both [groups into] one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, [which is] the Law of commandments [contained] in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, [thus] establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner [stone,] 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
OH MY! THE TRANSFORMATIONAL WORK OF JESUS!
Creating of Jews and Gentiles ONE NEW MAN! Bringing peace and reconciliation, not only between God and man, but between men holding long established hatred based in both religious and racial division. He is still able, and is still doing such work.If He could do that, can He not bridge our political differences. He can! But when I say He, the inference is He through us as His body, manifesting Him on the planet. Make this a matter of prayer and a shift in paradigm. And, move as He speaks to you.
Consider the cost He paid for bringing such peace and reconciliation as you look at verse 14 again.
14 For He (Jesus) Himself is our peace, who made both [groups into] one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
Note that Jesus is our peace. and He has made us one with those that differed and disagreed with us. He broke down the wall of division. All past tense.
Now, you may say but “what of those who are still disagreeing with me?” I would say, He has commanded us to love our enemies and to pray for those that use and abuse us. I would also encourage you/us to look for opportunities to share the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15) and reconciliation in Him. Not being ashamed of the gospel, but knowing it is the power of God unto salvation to the Jew first and then to the Gentile (Romans 1:16). And beyond that, I would exhort you to remember one of the foundational principles of the scriptures revealing the nature and character of God in His own is that the onus/burden for reconciliation is always ours.
Yet while we were enemies, God reached to us in Jesus to be reconciled. He came looking for Adam after the fall. Initiating reconciliation falls to us…always. Because it is the nature of our God and our King.
[Romans 5:10 NASB95] 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
[2Corinthians 5:18-21 NASB95] 18 Now all [these] things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
[Matthew 5:23-25 NASB95] 23 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25 “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Again, the onus for reconciliation is always ours. Our attitude is often, “I’m not reaching out, I’m not apologizing, I’m not moving first.” Thank God His nature was and is not that. You may not always get reconciled, your efforts may be rebuffed, but the onus is still on you to make the effort. For the eternal purpose of God in Christ is to bring peace and make us into one new man in His body.
In a culture that divides people by, and with, all kinds of labels, and divisive passions expressed boldly, may we be a source of peace and reconciliation. Standing strongly, boldly, for Him, but clothed in humility and our feet shod with the gospel of peace. Let us wear not a label, but Him.
for consideration:
[Colossians 4:6 NASB95] 6 Let your speech always be with grace, [as though] seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
[Colossians 3:12 NASB95] 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
[1Peter 5:5 NASB95] 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to [your] elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.