Welcome!
Today: No longer enemies!
Passage: Eph 2, Prov 13
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. (Eph 2, NIV 84)-
Peace comes through sacrifice; a war can happen because of selfishness
Through His sacrifice, Jesus brought peace between Holy God and sinful man
He also brought the much separated Jews and Gentiles together, in His body-the Church; Jesus paid the bill/price with His own blood
The Corinthian Church was divided- they had groups and divisions within; at the same time, they were also living in sin/carnality, in enmity with God
That tells us that there is a connection between our relationship with God, and our relationship with others-especially fellow believers. When there is fellowship with God, there will be fellowship with people as well
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin. (1 John 1, NIV 84)
Fellowship with God – does not mean God will ignore our sins; the opposite is actually true. As children, we have a greater responsibility for our actions
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1, NIV 84)
When we- God’s children sin, God knows it. He waits in expectation that we will run to Him and confess. When we don’t, it affects our relationship with God.
If our children “hide” something and talk to us as if nothing has happened, we don’t appreciate that. That affects mutual confidence and relationship
Jesus united the different nations/cultures/in His body; there is one blood that unites all. Under the skin, we all have the same color-blood red!
The relation through the blood of Christ is precious than blood relations in this world. One is eternal; the other is temporal-up to the grave only!
In this world, there is envy, jealousy, competition and all that. In Christ, none of that should be there. It is a nation/kingdom which is built and held together by the love-blood of Christ! Jesus is our king. Satan is our common enemy!
Have a wonderful, blessed weekend. Don’t forget to pray!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you once again for creating peace at the expense of your sacrifice and shed blood on the cross. Help me to make the sacrifices that I need to make, to maintain that peace and unity. Amen
Proverbs 13 (verses below, from NIV 84)
5 The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.