March 18, 2020 (Wednesday)
“[Jesus Christ]..came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God..”(Ephesians 2:17-19 MSG).
The Scripture quoted above is about Gentiles and Jews who have become Christians. In Christ there is no more separation. We are one.
That statement, however, can serve as a guideline for us in all our relationships. Think of the many ways we separate ourselves into “them” and “us.” Let’s take a look at ourselves: We are white; they are black. We speak English; they speak Spanish. We are Protestants; they are Catholics. We worship on Sunday; they worship on Saturday. We are Christians; they are Jews. We are..; they are.. It never ends. We love the “them and us” concept and practice it well.
“Jesus loves the little children–all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
But after we grow up? Does He love us all now? Indeed He does. Christ has broken down the walls that separate us, but many of us insist on rebuilding them. Father, forgive us, we know what we do.
“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all” (Colossians 3:11).
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
WE ARE ONE IN THE BOND OF LOVE
We are one in the bond of love
We are one in the bond of love
We have joined our spirit with the Spirit of God
We are one in the bond of love
Let us sing now, ev’ry one,
Let us feel His love begun;
Let us join our hand that the world will know
We are one in the bond of love