Scandalous Reconciliation


Through Jesus work on the cross, there is now no such thing as an irreconcilable difference between people because the real irreconcilable difference - between us and God - has been reconciled.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
(Ephesians 2:19-22 ESV)

From being separated in every way, Jews and Gentiles are now fellow citizens and members of God’s household. They are described as the temple, built as a dwelling for God - the temple had been the place where the division was at it’s most obvious - now they, together, are the temple - the place where God lives!

This is amazing reconciliation, and it was almost too much for them, and us, to take. The idea that anyone can be reconciled is a scandalous idea. Paul is in prison for believing that Gentiles can become Christians (3:1)!

Our society loves the idea of diversity but hates it in practice - there’s loads of talk about diversity with little tolerance for free speech.

The message of the gospel sounds intolerant (what do you mean I’m dead in my sin?) but in fact goes far beyond tolerance to love - of anybody and everybody. This is not just love for people a bit different to you - love for enemies! Love where there are irreconcilable differences. Click to Tweet this  

Is there anyone with whom you struggle to imagine how you could ever be reconciled? Take a minute to pray now in hope and ask God to bring the miracle of reconciliation.


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