Sin separates, but grace and righteousness bring things together.
Ephesians 2:1 describes the condition of humanity apart from God: “dead in [our] offenses and sins” (NASB). Every single one of us was separated from God because of our sin; we had “no hope” and were “without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). There was nothing we could do to change our situation.
But God had mercy on us, and His grace drew us near to Him (Ephesians 2:13).
When Jesus Christ shed His blood for us, He brought Jews and Gentiles together. The distinction between Jews and Gentiles has been overcome because Christ fulfilled the Law. There is no longer a distinction based on the circumcision of the flesh and worship practices—these have been abolished.
The grace of God brings us together, so that all who believe are His people. He has made us one body in Christ (Ephesians 2:16).
Jesus Christ makes all things new—and this includes His people. As we read in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (NASB). There is freedom in Christ; He teaches us the value and dignity of all human beings. We are all a part of His body, regardless of race, social status, or sex.
When the church first began to meet, it met in houses. There was a mixture of people—slave and free, rich and poor, men and women, Jews and Gentiles—all mingling together. This demonstrates the beautiful unity and diversity in His Body. We are all unique, and He has a place for each one of us in Him.
If we are in Christ, then we are a part of this Body as a family. We are “no longer strangers and aliens, but [we] are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household” (Ephesians 2:19 NASB). This fellowship is what we were meant to be about all along. Sins still creeps in and causes dissension, but God calls us to be united with one another, living in peace as His holy temple.
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