04/17/2024 – If we are united to Christ, we are united in Christ
Ephesians 1: 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
God’s purpose in Christ is the union of all people and all things in the same faith and the same Spirit. In his teachings, Christ always emphasized this purpose. When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, a sinner, despised by many for being a tax collector, Jesus invited him to come down from a tree to dine with him. When people murmured, He reminded everyone: he is also the son of Abraham.
Christ taught us that God’s grace is inclusive. God’s promises for salvation use supremely broad terms: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, so that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. The Greek term pas used here, which translates as: everyone, anyone, is one of the most repeated in the Bible. Whether publicans, Samaritans, Jews or Gentiles, Americans, Europeans or Latinos, the Word of God is for ALL of us, and we have all been called to unite with Christ and to unite in Christ.
This generation values individuality, and misuse of technology may promote isolation. Politics can divide a country, a family and end friendships. But the people of God are called to seek unity. Join those who God has united you. There may be no dividing wall higher or older than the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles. For a long time, it seemed impossible for these two groups divided by their cultures, religion, race, and customs to unite. But Christ accomplished the impossible. He broke down the wall of separation between these two groups and united them in himself. If we are truly united to Christ, we will be united to all whom Christ has redeemed.