Context: Ephesians 2: 1-22

Focus:  Ephesians 2: 17-22

“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.” 

Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross He has united both Jew and Gentile.  Those who are in faith are also one, having in common the indwelling Holy Spirit.  This same Holy Spirit teaches all who believe to love one another and God – thus fulfilling the commandments of Christ.  Jesus has fulfilled the law and all the requirements for justification, so that both those of the first covenant would be reconciled to God the Father in not by keeping the law but by keeping the faith in His Salvation- in Jesus Christ.  Therefore, the law has been kept because the requirement for forgiveness of sin was accomplished by Christ’s sacrifice- the shedding of blood. Now both Jew and Gentile are reconciled to one another and to God the Father through the sacrifice of God’s only Son.  The barrier has been demolished, the hostility is gone.  And the world will know who are Christ’s disciples because they have love for one another.

Paul was a scribe and a Pharisee who knew the law inside and out.  But when He came to faith in Jesus Christ He put all his credentials and knowledge of the scriptures, aside, because they added nothing to the knowledge of God’s Salvation through the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:20-1 Corinthians 2:2)

“His Cross” is a Positive Sign

There is no hierarchy in the Kingdom of God.   All who come to faith are neither Jew nor Gentile, male or female, slave or free, but one in Christ Jesus – the children of God.
(Galatians 3:28 )

Where a body of believers are united the body is strong,  and the battle is won when everyone is of the same mind, united in love. But the body is weakened when it succumbs to division and strife.  The glue that binds us together is love. That is why Jesus emphasized before His ascension to His followers to love one another.  It was not a suggestion but His commandment, because Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 )

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
John 17: 20-23

One of the most strategic ploys of the devil is to cause division among believers and families.  If a believer succumbs to fear, there is strife, mistrust, confusion and chaos.  It is as though a very strange thing is happening that catches you off guard.  But by loving one another we are united not in ourselves but in Christ.  So the defense of the believer is to forgive and to love which no weapon of the devil can defeat.  For the knowledge of God’s perfect love (unconditional) casts out all fear and faith in His love and for one another is His perfect shield.

CR- Matthew 22: 37-40, Hebrews 9: 21-22, John 13: 34-45

Lord, I praise you for your salvation and for placing me in your body where all who are in faith are joined together through your love.  Remind me to at all times to love where there is no law, and no weapon can defeat.  (1 Corinthians 13: 1-13)