Ephesians 2:14
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility”.
This is an encouraging verse for our time. God wants to unite us. There is so much divisiveness. People are waiting to pounce on anyone who misspeaks. This is not of God. Galatians five says that peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit. This chaos in our culture is not of God as there is no peace.
Martin Luther King Jr reminded our world that we weren't to let skin color divide us. This sent shock waves through our world. He said, "I have a dream that my children will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Many of today's activists ignore these words. Many of them do not want peace. They are not speaking for God. His words break down the dividing walls of hostility.
In the Old Testament God's focus was on the jews, but only so He could eventually reach all peoples. Jesus hinted at that in John 4 when He spoke to the samaritan woman.
Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This was revolutionary in Jesus' time. Peter was given a vision about this topic. He called it unclean. The Lord responded in Acts 10:15, 'The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”' The message of the gospel was to go out to everyone.
While God wants unity, it isn't at all costs. All are welcome to join the church if they follow His words. Romans 10:9 gives those conditions, 'that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.' To claim Him as lord means we do what He says. All are welcome to God on those conditions.
Some don't want that. They would prefer their independence. That's ok. He won't force anyone to follow Him. There is still no judgement about them and their race. They will not be part of His kingdom, based on their choice.
How are christians to treat those who don't join the church? They are to love them. Regardless of their race, they are to be loved. They probably won't be close, as christians are to be with christians. That will most likely be mutual, as the nonbeliever wouldn't want to do all the things a believer does. But it's not because of race. That wall was knocked down.
The old song says, "You will know they are christians by their love". As we go throughout our days, we are to share His hope and His love. The Lord uses those times to attract others to Him. The Lord wants all to be on His team. He reaches out all day. He speaks to everyones hearts and minds. He also uses His children to love and bless them.
The offer is always there. Unfortunately, as we continue to ignore His offer it gets more difficult to receive, as rejecting the truth opens us up to deception (2 Thessalonians 2:11).
Lord, thank You for Your message of hope. You not only want to save us and bring us to You, but You want to unify us around Your message. All are welcome.