Ephesians 2:14-18

Ephesians 2:14-18 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Galatians 3:26-29 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Christ's purpose was to create in himself one new man out of two. No longer would there be Jew or Gentile, which encompasses the whole world's population, but just Christians who derive their life from Christ himself. Through Jesus, God would destroy the barriers between people, for in him there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. All are clothed IN CHRIST JESUS THE MAN OF PEACE who has broken down all walls of separation. When the angels announced Jesus' birth they exclaimed, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:10, 14) Paul says, Jesus came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. Jesus came to bring peace to all who would accept him as Savior. He not only brought peace between men, He brought peace between man and God because through HIM we all have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit who abides within.

If Christ has broken down the barriers between us, why are we yet engaged in disputations? Why is the church of the living God fragmented into many denominations? Why do we have quarrels and troubles between Christians? The answer is simple: SIN! Sin still grips the hearts of men as we slog along in these old fleshly bodies. We still entertain the question of the serpent in our souls: Did God really say? Many who know the way of the cross still are not willing to lay down their differences, their self-will, and commit to each other in love. Even among the best of us, our egos are front and center in our interactions; therefore, when we are rebuffed, we walk away hurt and angry rather than extending forgiveness. When we are displeased, we even harshly judge God's servants. The flesh is too strong in each of us, often too much alive, and we will struggle with these selfish attitudes and desires until we die and go to heaven to receive our resurrected bodies. However, even though we ARE NOT ONE in the flesh, we are ONE IN THE SPIRIT because of Christ's work. Praise God for that.

But God does not intend for us to serve contentiousness in the flesh either. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (Romans 8:11-12) The Spirit wants to quicken us or to make us alive in the flesh. As we lay down our differences and join God's perfect will in the Spirit, we become his servants to men, not dictators who demand our own way. We should quickly agree with our adversary, not drag him to court. We should love our enemies, not try to harm or to destroy them. While these commands remain foreign to sinful man, the person dead in his sins and transgressions, believers have heard the "good news" that is IN CHRIST JESUS we have freedom and power, and we should walk in this knowledge.

Self-willed men will never accept Jesus Christ as their Savior; they will never accept God's peace offering. And they will hate and despise those who follow the way of the cross. Willful men enjoy their freedom to rule, to control, to defeat, even to kill others. They revel in the flesh and its wickedness, and they will never put it down willingly. But we who are Christians are not debtors to the flesh, but to God and his salvation plan, For he (Jesus) himself is our peace, who has made the two one. Since we have been lifted up into heavenly places in Christ Jesus, we will contend for the fruit of the Spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We will allow the Spirit to transform us and to restrain our flesh by making us more like Christ, for we are not indebted to the will of the flesh, but to the will of God. He who began a good work in us will complete it.