Breaking Down Barriers: How Christ Confronted False Divides

Ephesians 2:17, “…peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;”

Gentiles Ask to See Jesus - Tissot 1886

The whole universe is currently mired in conflicts around climate, gender, and race—Satan’s devious plan to destroy peace and harmony. John 8:44 affirms that Satan “…speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Some of history’s most prominent antichrists have contributed entire designs (i.e., “religions”), with Charles Darwin’s evolution excluding any divine architect, Alfred Kinsey’s report supporting rampant sexual deviancy, and Karl Marx’s oppressed and oppressors providing cover for racism. Now, the world should end shortly (reportedly due to cow flatulence); we can no longer define “what is a woman?” and all the racists are screaming that we’re the racists. Discord has never been more prevalent.

Yet the God of the Bible never co-ops this vision. As the God of unity, Paul explains in Ephesians 2:14-18, “For He Himself [Christ Jesus] is our peace, who made both groups one and broke down the dividing wall of the partition by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, the Law…so that in Himself He might create the two into one new man, making peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having in Himself put to death the enmity. And He came and preached the good news of peace to you [Gentile or non-Jews] who were far away, and peace to those [Jews] who were near; for through Him we both have access in one Spirt to the Father.”

Regarding climate, the Bible confirms the continuance of God’s creation when He promises in Genesis 8:22: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

Regarding gender, the Bible teaches there are two genders and that in Christ, all believers are equal — Galatians 3:28 states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Regarding race, although Israel was God’s chosen people, He makes clear that His plan for them was to evangelize the rest of the world, which is expressed in Isaiah 42:6, “I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Ephesians 2:19-20 demonstrates, “So then you are no longer strangers and resident aliens; rather, you’re citizens together with the saints [all believers] and [you’re] members of God’s household, having been built on the foundation [consisting] of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone…”

Despite Christ’s offer of peace, you still have the option of rejecting Him. You can choose to do it your way, live your life how you wish, and even walk on the wild side. Revelation 16:8-11, however, illustrates the hardening of this decision, “The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. They [non-believers] were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give Him glory. The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.”

Even though Christ preached the good news of peace, which He paid with His own blood, you can always reject it…granted, suffering the consequences—but, your choice.

If you enjoy these posts, help cover the expense of this blog by buying me a coffee!