Inside our theme of love this month, this week we are focusing on the placement of healthy boundaries. As we clearly saw yesterday, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law had an issue with Jesus from the moment He stepped foot inside their territory. Why? Because He crossed their boundaries and blew past their borders. He would interact with anyone—Jewish or Gentile, male or female, good or bad, rich or poor, religious or heathen.

Today, we don’t think in terms of Jew and Gentile as was the great dividing line in the days of the New Testament, but let’s go past cultural norms and get into our closest circles of relationship. Who do you have a personal issue with, just because they are, because they are still in your life, and you struggle with that reality? Listen closely as I read …

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. (Ephesians 2:14-18 NLT)

When you hear the phrase “hostility towards each other” who comes to mind for you? I doubt it’s a race of people, but a person. Maybe two? We need to see the Bible’s teaching as principles of the heart that apply to all our relationships. With that, where do you need God to “break down the wall of hostility that separates you”? Where do you need Him to “end the system of law with its commandments and regulations”? Where do you need Him to bring you peace and put hostility in your heart to a final death? For your sake.

In the quietness of this moment, you know that any hostility, any barrier, that has been built in your heart is not good for you. It’s not good for your kids. Let God trade it for His love and His boundaries …because of what Christ has done for us.

Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, take any hostility I have, that which I realize and that which I don’t, or won’t, or can’t. I need to let go of barriers in my heart and receive what You have provided for me in love, grace, and protection. As above, so below.”