People divide quite easily and naturally. Often, a wall of hostility develops between different groups of people. We can see this dynamic at work in preschoolers, students, and adults. Yet, God’s vision for humanity is to live in peace with one another and with Him. We see that vision playing out in the story of Creation, in the Exodus, in the teachings of Jesus, and at Pentecost. In Ephesians 2:15-22, we see that vision being cast once again.
While addressing the Gentiles, Paul reminds the church in Ephesus that they were once foreigners and strangers to the family of God but by the blood of Jesus they have been made citizens. Then in verse 19 he says, “…you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.” The Gentiles and Jews who are now members of the family of God together, because of their belief in Jesus, are no longer separate but are instead one family. They are no longer divided. The expectation is that they live peaceably as one body.
Paul uses the image of a building under construction as he shares in verse 21, “In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.” God’s vision is not just that they would be unified but that they would be holy. A Holy God seeks a holy people to dwell within.
We tend to get divided up, even in church. May we live into the vision God has shown us in Ephesians 2:19-22. May we respect our unique differences as we affirm our unity in Christ Jesus so that we may be a holy people; a dwelling place for our Holy Father.
