How should Ephesians 2:15 influence our approach to cultural and racial divisions? The Context of Ephesians 2:15 - The verse sits in a passage (Ephesians 2:11-22) that contrasts former alienation with current unity in Christ. - Paul addresses Jew-Gentile hostility—the deepest cultural rift of his day—and shows how Jesus resolved it. - Ephesians 2:15: “by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace.” What Christ Actually Did - “Abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees” • On the cross, Jesus fulfilled and set aside the Mosaic ordinances that separated Israel from the nations (Colossians 2:14). - “Create in Himself one new man out of the two” • He didn’t merely broker a truce; He formed a brand-new humanity. - “Thus making peace” • Peace is not a social experiment—it’s a finished achievement rooted in the atonement. Implications for Cultural and Racial Divides - Our primary identity is “in Christ,” not in ethnicity, class, or culture (Galatians 3:28). - Any barrier Jesus knocked down is off-limits for us to rebuild. - Unity is a gospel reality before it becomes a social strategy. Living Out the “One New Man” - Think relationally, not just theologically: if we are literally one body, indifference to another believer’s pain is indifference to Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 12:26-27). - Speak the same gospel language; cultural dialects are secondary (Philippians 3:20). - Celebrate distinct gifts while refusing divisive pride (Romans 12:4-5). Practical Steps for the Local Church - Teach the cross as the basis for racial reconciliation, not political trends. - Incorporate multi-cultural voices in worship and leadership, illustrating the “new man” reality. - Practice table fellowship—shared meals blur social lines just as in Acts 2:46. - Address prejudices biblically and directly; silence sustains walls Christ already demolished. Personal Heart Checks - Am I harboring subtle superiority or resentment toward another culture? (James 2:1-4) - Do my closest friendships reflect the breadth of the body of Christ? - Am I quicker to defend my subculture or Christ’s unified church? (Philippians 2:3) Encouraging Scriptures That Reinforce the Message - John 17:21: “That all of them may be one… so that the world may believe.” - 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people… a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.” - Revelation 7:9: “A great multitude… from every nation… standing before the throne.” - Colossians 3:11: “Here there is no Greek or Jew… but Christ is all and in all.” |
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