Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, June 1, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-06-01-2018

This is devotional thought number 46 in our devotional series titled, “The Gospel According to Paul.”

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Ephesians 2:10–18).
The biggest rift in the history of the world was between God and humanity. It wasn’t that God had a problem with us, really. It was that we loved sin so much that we separated ourselves from Him. Sin’s natural and spiritual consequence is eternal death and anything that paves the way in that direction. Being the bigger Man in this situation, and absolutely holy, God enacted His plan of reconciliation. Infinitely greater than any human diplomat or ambassador, Jesus Christ represents the Father’s love and goodwill to all who are willing to be reconciled to Him. Through His perfect life and ministry, Jesus breaks down every wall that separates us from God.
There is a big problem, however. Oftentimes, faulty human beings have rifts among ourselves too. In Paul’s day there was a sort of relio-racial problem wherein non-Jews were compelled by the Jewish establishment to keep ritualistic ordinances as a sign of their right to belong. The problem is, many of the ordinances were frivolous, and the others were abolished when Christ gave His life to reconcile all of us to God. The religious leaders allowed race and religion to divide them, but Jesus came to demolish the middle wall of separation between them.
We too have a problem in our days and times. False religion, politics, and race are still divisive actors. A misapprehension of all these fuels war, hatred, and malice. What is the antidote? If you are tracking with me, you will note the antidote I have cited for the two aforementioned problems. The key to resolving all dissension, war, racism, and violence toward our fellow human beings is surrender to Jesus Christ. If we all yield ourselves to do whatever Jesus requires and empowers us to do, we will see a level of reconciliation only ever witnessed in those who have done so before. Lasting peace between God and humanity, and among all peoples and nations is possible through Christ. He is well able to effect peace within our hearts and human relations. It’s just a matter if all parties are willing to trust Him to do so. When we do, we begin to think pure thoughts, have holy motives, have compassion on others, and live charitably at all times. These are among the most profound and welcomed effects of salvation.
I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, are you?—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)