The Dividing Wall

Ephesians 2:11-14 “Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands - remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.”

Our Wednesday night Small Group Bible Study is continuing through the “Bible Fluency” lessons and this last week we were examining the books of Galatians and Ephesians. The theme of the lesson was that through the finished work of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, the walls of separation have been broken down when we believed and receive God’s gift. In original sin, a vertical wall was erected; our spirit died and we had no access to God. By the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father, our spirit has been regenerated by the blood of Christ unto reconciliation and direct access to God for us; the fusion of reconciliation has brought that which was separated back together again.

Ephesians 2:18-22 “For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

But, Jesus, our peace, has also completely broken down the horizontal wall that separated all God’s people and provided equal access for all to God because there is unity in brothers and sisters in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. But, in reality, some people act as if the wall was still standing. There is hypocrisy in divisions within the body of Christ. We are not just joined with Jesus, but also joined with each other as children of God. In Christians there are no social barriers, no economic barriers, no racial barriers or ethic barriers. When the Lord broke down that wall of separation, the function of the wall is gone. We are “One in Christ”, so live let it. Jesus broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, both vertically and horizontally, so do not erect new walls.   

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

In Christ, Brian