June 22 - Ephesians 2:14

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.

In this passage, Paul is talking about Jews and Gentiles, stating that in Jesus there is no longer any difference between Jew and Gentile.

In Galatians 3:28, Paul writes: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

What do you find to separate you as a Christian from others?  Do you separate along denominational lines?  How about political leaning? What about specific doctrines that have come down throughout history … do you think that God believes you have greater faith than someone else so you are a better Christian?

What about some of the hot-button political issues of our day? Do you think that THEY are supposed to be the ones who bring unity, so THEY should believe the way you do in order to make that happen?

In Paul’s time, there was a lot of persecution by the Jews because new Christians weren't circumcised and many of them didn't eat the proper foods in order to line up with the traditions that had been handed down through the Law.  Unless new Christians made choices to follow along with things the way they’d always been done – AND the way that the Jews believed God had set their faith walk into place – they weren't allowed to worship.  In fact, in some cases, these people were no longer allowed to trade or barter with Jewish Christians in the marketplace.  They couldn't earn a living to support their families.

Paul reminds us that in God’s eyes, everyone is loved.  I’ll say that again.  God loves everyone. It is NOT up to us to decide who will be accepted into His kingdom.  Paul pleads for unity which brings peace.

What do you think of that?