And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:22
In context this is speaking of God's inclusion of the Gentiles or all other people, with the Jews because of Jesus' atoning work, through faith. Revolutionary in its day, most of us take this for granted now. Though we don't live out its implications all that well, it seems. We would do better by demonstrating to the world on Sundays that nationality and race are beside the point; that our unity is in Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit, one new humanity in Jesus.
What about those in Jesus with whom we either disagree or have had our differences with, sometimes to the point of separation? This happens, as we all know. We know in part and we have differing perspectives. Differences are bound to come, and sometimes they seem irreconcilable at the time. And maybe are.
This verse hit me yesterday. God is at work to dwell in all of us in Jesus, as his holy temple, where he lives by his Spirit. We are being built together to that end.
Though again this is simply speaking of the new humanity being built together consisting of all peoples, Jew and Gentile, I think ramifications include working through conflicts and differences. Each of us in Jesus are part of this holy dwelling of God. We need to remember that, and proceed from there when we think about making every effort to keep the unity given to us in Jesus, by the Spirit, through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4).
What would you like to add here?
4 comments:
good post that gives to encouragaing thought.
~~~~~~~
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
from colossians 3
Thanks, nAncY. Always important to remember love, since that is what is to animate us through the God who is love.
I think you're right on the emphasis of unity - the application for us today includes conflict resolution and sharing of our burdens together
Thanks, ESI. So very true. And we need both.
Post a Comment