You Are Not the Only One

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27 NIV).

So, what does that mean? Freedom can be an elusive thing in a world that is focused on dollars and cents rather than people and their needs. Freedom to think, love, care, and voice one’s opinions in a non-threatening way comes from knowing that Jesus IS our peace.

Ephesians 2:14, ESV: “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” His work on the cross – his death and resurrection – led to the unification of all of humanity.

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The Amplified version of the Bible clarifies what the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ did for all people.

He died and was resurrected to unify all people. There wasn’t a literal wall that divided the Jews from the Gentiles during Paul’s time. We have religious boundaries today, or imaginary city lines. We have neighborhood boundaries that separate blacks from whites, religious barriers that separate Catholics from Baptists, Pentecostals, and non-denominations. We have political affiliations that are ravaging the church.

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near. ¹⁴ For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us, ¹⁵ By abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the enmity [caused by] the Law with its decrees and ordinances [which He annulled]; that He from the two might create in Himself one new man [one new quality of humanity out of the two], so making peace.

Christ has given us the freedom to step outside the socially imposed boundaries and walk in the freedom of love for our fellow man. All of us were reconciled to Christ. When that reconciliation occurred we were all freed to become reconciled with one another.

Romans 10:1 reminds us that “We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Now all of humanity can declare that we are family and have been made equals because of the salvation we have received through Christ. Ephesians 2 shows us that all who are saved, black and white alike, are part of the same spiritual family.

Where hate abounds then you know you are living on unsanctified ground. Where peace is evident the love of God lives there.

Prayer: Father, please show your church in 2020 how to live at peace with all people. We should NOT be involved in anything that makes any member of the body of Christ feel “less loved: than another. Show us how to love all people. There will be no segregated place in heaven, so get used to it on earth.