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11 So then, remember that at one time you gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”—a circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens 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 once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us, 15 abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, 18 for through him both of us have 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 also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone; 21 in him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

 

When you are a youth leader at a church and your search history on Google is split 50/50 between gaming and theology, you are bound to get all kinds of Christian-based content on your social media and YouTube. Some of it I welcome daily and relish the joy or mental stimulation it brings. Others, however, force me to ask if we are speaking of the same faith altogether. It seems this group or that group of people are just not acceptable. When I read this portion of Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, I am not sure how some of those I disagree with on my feed would interpret these same words.

 

Every bit of this passage speaks of being pulled into community. Christ came to tear down the walls that had divided people and bring us into ONE body. This point is repeated:

· “He has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall”

· “that He might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace”

· “and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross”

· “He came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near”

· “you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens”

· “in Him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord”

 

A while back I heard Pastor Chris Naig proclaim that God is always redrawing the line of who is included. First, it was the Israelites followed by expanding it to the Gentile believers. Pastor Naig spoke how a eunuch, someone who would never be allowed in the temple, was pulled into the body of Christ on a roadside. God keeps seeking to redraw the lines to pull everyone in no matter how the world looks on them. I just ask God to keep me in that mindset that ALL are called, and all are welcome.

 

The Lord Most High, open our hearts and mind to all the world so that we may see everyone as the Child of God you are calling them to be. Amen

 

Chad Ryberg

Cryberg@livinglord.org

 

Prayer Concern: For those who allow fear to dominate their lives