The Place to Be #7

Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated 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 himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Having reminded the Ephesians (and us) of all the riches to be found in Christ, the past we have been delivered from, and the great gift of grace He has given, Paul gives us something else to remember: the isolation of separation.  When God brought us back to Himself through Christ, He also brought us back together.  He came to reconcile us into one body.  His intention is for us to be "together as one." Such unity is difficult (but not impossible) to maintain when we are all grateful to God and trusting in Christ.  We must always keep in mind that this is all part of the plan of God, and if we are not contributing to it, we are distracting from the plan of God. If we are at peace with Him, He will show us how to be at peace with one another.