All Peoples

 

All Peoples

Colossians 1: ²⁷ God's plan is to make known his secret to his people, this rich and glorious secret which he has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God. ²⁸ So we preach Christ to everyone. With all possible wisdom we warn and teach them in order to bring each one into God's presence as a mature individual in union with Christ. ²⁹ To get this done I toil and struggle, using the mighty strength which Christ supplies and which is at work in me.

 

============

 

Growing up in a neighborhood that was not diverse, I heard about GOD loving the entire world. But I could not imagine HE meant those who did not look like me or those who chased me out of their neighborhood because I did not look like them.

 

• I started thinking it would be easier to speak about GOD to those who looked like me.
• I made up excuses in my mind with reasons for not going to other races with GOD’s message of hope and love.
• I said to myself “one group of people have struggled so doesn’t that count for me to focus on that one group?”

 

Paul explains that GOD’s secret has been revealed through the resurrection of JESUS who now lives in all who believe. The Good news doesn’t stop there. It also means sharing in the glory of GOD!. So, he used all of his time and best thinking to reach any and every one he could reach.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s message of love is not for exclusion rather to reach all peoples.
• Since the HOLY SPIRIT lives “inside” me, HE is not looking at the external rather what is in my heart.
• Whatever is important to GOD should be important to me.

 

Reaching “all peoples” is important to GOD. I mean, even though humans find many ways to show just how different we all are, GOD wants us to unite. But how? It seems like politically, socially and religiously humans are doomed to separation. Fortunately GOD took care of that too.

 

When JESUS died, HE said “It is finished” meaning nothing else is left to be done. All who seek salvation can be saved. The ability is now available for all peoples. It is now up to us to tell “everyone” about JESUS without hinderance. I am glad GOD cares about all races and wants “everyone” to know about HIS SON.

 

Challenge

• What valuable message is the writer speaking of?
• How much do you value the message of salvation?
• Will you examine what you say every day and check to see if you can add the Good News about JESUS to more of your conversations?
• Will you also drop any barriers to speaking to other races about JESUS today?

United Races

United Races

Ephesians 2: ¹⁶ By his death on the cross Christ destroyed their enmity; by means of the cross he united both races into one body and brought them back to God. ¹⁷ So Christ came and preached the Good News of peace to all—to you Gentiles, who were far away from God, and to the Jews, who were near to him. ¹⁸ It is through Christ that all of us, Jews and Gentiles, are able to come in the one Spirit into the presence of the Father.

 

============

 

A slush-ball with a rock in it hit the car window as we passed by. I was in the back seat and could feel the tension as we drove through a neighborhood that was of a different race. Another incident happened as we were biking in a community of another race, I got kicked off my bike. I got back on and we were chased with racial slurs flung heavily at us.

 

• I did not know who I could trust in other races.
• I thought other races were against me because of my race.
• I could only see division as the answer, so I shrunk back into my own community.

 

JESUS did something amazing that Paul wrote about. HE died on the cross and was raised from the dead. This miracle enabled all who believed, to become part of GOD’s family. HE destroyed the wall that was between the two races and unified all to come into one SPIRIT.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s desire is unity.
• GOD wants me to align with HIS desire regardless of past hurts.
• GOD wants me to see that JESUS is the only answer to unity.

 

Bowing to JESUS means I do not want to steal HIM to show I am part of a superior race. I mean, I have been all over the world and saw JESUS represented in the race of that country. We argue over who is superior or who wronged who the longest. Meanwhile, GOD sees all races as HIS children and simply wants someone to step up and do the same.

 

GOD wants more than one race saved and no race is superior than another. The excuse of not believing in JESUS because HE is of a certain race is false. HE died for all races and lives for all. No human is without sin but JESUS. I am glad HE cares for me and all races.

 

Challenge

• Want enmity is the writer speaking of?
• Does it seem like the racial divide is getting larger?
• Will you align to GOD’s desire and seek unity on a small scale by simply praying for one another today?

 

Broken, Abolished and United

Broken, Abolished and United

Ephesians 2: ¹⁴ For Christ himself has brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people. With his own body he broke down the wall that separated them and kept them enemies. ¹⁵ He abolished the Jewish Law with its commandments and rules, in order to create out of the two races one new people in union with himself, in this way making peace. 

 

============

 

“Give me that” the teacher said to us. We were fighting over a certain toy. I said it was mine because I saw it first. She said it was hers because she always played with it. Both arguments were sound, but flawed.

 

• I wanted to win the argument.
• I wanted to get my way.
• I wanted to be the one with favor so I presented “my” case so I could get “my” way.

 

Paul continues speaking about racism and classism. Church leaders were using the Law as a means to keep people separated. The outcasts and those who were not born into a certain race, developed their own communities where they could be accepted. Nothing was working. Hatred abounded. BUT GOD did something about it.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to have peace so HE broke down the rules that cause any separation from HIM or HIS children.
• GOD wants me to belong to the entire family rather than dividing into factions.
• GOD wants me to receive HIS peace by understanding HIS desire for unification.

 

“CHRIST HIMSELF brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people. “ HE does not condone favoritism, nor is one race higher than another. HE sees the efforts of each human trying to reign superiority over one another, so HE came up with a plan. HE took the thing they were fighting over away and told all humans to reconcile.

 

Unfortunately we have a sin nature that blinds us to unity. We settle for a smaller group that accepts our sin rather than trying to bring all people back to GOD in union with CHRIST. HE made us special to reach a specific group. I am grateful JESUS accepted me into HIS family and gives me peace.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer’s appeal about racism?
• Have you ever experienced racism. classism, sexism, ageism or something else that separates you from being united in CHRIST?
• Will you break down the barriers, abolish whatever rule you may hold onto and point people to the one true answer, namely JESUS?