Word@Work Eph21 - Ephesians 2:14-15a
Published: Fri, 10/24/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
PEACE AT LAST
Read Ephesians 2:14-15a For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. (NIV)
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Peace is not primarily a feeling - it has substance. It cannot be manufactured by candles or music (although they may produce a sense of calm or tranquillity). Peace is a declaration that war is over. It is based on a clear victory and evidenced by a cease-fire, the laying down of arms and a willing acceptance that the victor has the right to rule.
When Jesus died, He dealt a death blow to the rules and regulations of the Jewish law (which we could not keep anyway). So, all those who relied on keeping the law, were trading in obsolete currency, and could never gain any assurance of peace with God. God was pleased only by people trusting in Jesus; whatever might have been their previous religious habit. It was those differences in piety that caused so much friction in social groups in the 1st century ... and all so unnecessarily, because peace for everybody only comes by trusting in Jesus.
Today, despite aggressively vocal attacks from a few secularists, religion is booming. As the differences become evident it is good to know that God has provided a way of peace for everybody. Since Christ's death there is no set of rules that will bring us to peace with God - only Jesus can do that. And that is a fact worth sharing!
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus. I am so glad that You abolished the complicated system of religious rules when You died. Now all I have to do is to trust in Your saving grace and rely on You each day. So please keep me trusting in You for my forgiveness and cleansing, and for my righteousness and peace, at work today. In Your Name. Amen.
When Jesus died, He dealt a death blow to the rules and regulations of the Jewish law (which we could not keep anyway). So, all those who relied on keeping the law, were trading in obsolete currency, and could never gain any assurance of peace with God. God was pleased only by people trusting in Jesus; whatever might have been their previous religious habit. It was those differences in piety that caused so much friction in social groups in the 1st century ... and all so unnecessarily, because peace for everybody only comes by trusting in Jesus.
Today, despite aggressively vocal attacks from a few secularists, religion is booming. As the differences become evident it is good to know that God has provided a way of peace for everybody. Since Christ's death there is no set of rules that will bring us to peace with God - only Jesus can do that. And that is a fact worth sharing!
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus. I am so glad that You abolished the complicated system of religious rules when You died. Now all I have to do is to trust in Your saving grace and rely on You each day. So please keep me trusting in You for my forgiveness and cleansing, and for my righteousness and peace, at work today. In Your Name. Amen.
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