Word@Work Eph22 - Ephesians 2:15b-16
Published: Mon, 10/27/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE INCLUSIVE JESUS
Read Ephesians 2:15b-16 His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. (NIV)
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
God never works randomly; everything He says and does will achieve His purposes. The death of Jesus was not, as some suppose, a divisive activity, forcing polarisation upon the world's religions. The Apostle Paul maintains it was a massive act to unite all the Jews and all the Gentiles (non-Jews), everywhere in the world. Jesus was a descendent of Abraham, a Jew and the Christ. In Him, all the aspirations of world religion meet. But Jesus did not just outline a philosophy or recommend a lifestyle, His death provided the only way in which sinful people could be reconciled to the holy God.
Both Jew and Gentile, however pious they may have been about their religion or secularism, were equally unable to reach the heart of God because neither of them were 100% holy, righteous or sinless. Even though the Jews tried to keep the law, they failed as much as the Gentiles who were unconcerned about it. So, there was no moral difference, between those who tried to keep the law (but failed), and those who did not even try. Religious people still think that God gives them 'points for trying', but 'trying hard' is not what God is looking for. He wants 100% sinlessness; and that is only possible if all the sin is paid for and taken away: which is why only Jesus is able to reconcile both Jews and Gentiles to God.
One of the first lessons for new Christians is to realise that they are no better than anybody else. Indeed, the early days of new faith, often expose much more sin in their life than was previously thought to lurk behind the scenes. So there is no room for any one-up-man-ship or 'holier-than-thou' attitude. Christ sets a level playing field for all, and it is important that we explain this to those who somehow think that salvation is beyond their reach - for reasons of past sin, background culture or failed religious efforts. Jesus wants them reconciled to God too.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for Your equal treatment of all sin (when Jesus died for all) and the equal opportunity for all to receive complete forgiveness through Your grace. Forgive me if I have ever given the impression that I am better than others, making Your salvation inaccessible to my colleagues and friends, for whom You died. In Your Name. Amen.
Both Jew and Gentile, however pious they may have been about their religion or secularism, were equally unable to reach the heart of God because neither of them were 100% holy, righteous or sinless. Even though the Jews tried to keep the law, they failed as much as the Gentiles who were unconcerned about it. So, there was no moral difference, between those who tried to keep the law (but failed), and those who did not even try. Religious people still think that God gives them 'points for trying', but 'trying hard' is not what God is looking for. He wants 100% sinlessness; and that is only possible if all the sin is paid for and taken away: which is why only Jesus is able to reconcile both Jews and Gentiles to God.
One of the first lessons for new Christians is to realise that they are no better than anybody else. Indeed, the early days of new faith, often expose much more sin in their life than was previously thought to lurk behind the scenes. So there is no room for any one-up-man-ship or 'holier-than-thou' attitude. Christ sets a level playing field for all, and it is important that we explain this to those who somehow think that salvation is beyond their reach - for reasons of past sin, background culture or failed religious efforts. Jesus wants them reconciled to God too.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for Your equal treatment of all sin (when Jesus died for all) and the equal opportunity for all to receive complete forgiveness through Your grace. Forgive me if I have ever given the impression that I am better than others, making Your salvation inaccessible to my colleagues and friends, for whom You died. In Your Name. Amen.
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