Isaiah - Verse By Verse | Walking through Ephesians

Walking through Ephesians - Day 39

versebyverse | November 29, 2007 21:28

Thought: To me, it is a great work for man to have peace with his fellow man, as accomplished in Christ; but it is a greater work for those men to have peace also with God.

Question: Has my hostility been "put to death"?

Scripture: Ephesians 2:16 (NIV): "and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility."

Reconciliation is what the cross accomplished. Reconciliation was achieved for both the self-righteous law-keeper and the hopeless Gentile dog who kept no laws. Both are sinners and in need. Both are unable to save themselves. Both come together "in Christ" if they yield their free-will to Him, believing Christ is Savior and Lord. Once yielded to Christ and saved, the two formerly opposing sides are at peace. No more disagreements need exist. No more hostility between issues of law-keeping need exist. Christ kept the law--that is what's important.

Is this to say that no one need keep the law anymore? No, of course not. It is discovered that "in Christ" we are finally enabled to keep the law, and for the first time. The Jews thought they were keeping laws because they tried to, but now "in Christ" they finally do truly "keep" the law. The Gentiles never had laws because they were kept out of that tradition, but now "in Christ" they discover the ways to "keep" the law. Christ becomes their law. They "keep" themselves "in Christ," both of them. Thus steeped into Christ and joined into His "Law of Love" they are no longer hostile to each other.

Prayer: Lord, Your peace truly does pass my understanding. You have conquered our hostilities by way of Your love. Amen.