Ephesians 2:17
“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”
God came to us all. Some were near, others were far. Those who were near may have been the Jews and those far the gentiles. In our present context those near are those raised in christian homes and those far would be in nonchristian homes.
Why do those in christian homes need the message? We all need to choose Christ. Just because some have gone to church their entire lives, doesn’t mean they aren’t sinners in need of a savior. This is where the pharisees missed it. They needed salvation as well. Nicodemus had a tender heart full of questions. He was on the right track.
The Holy Spirit is reaching out to everyone. Those in church hear the Word often and God uses those messages to speak to them. God is also speaking to those outside of the church. Romans 1:17 shows how He speaks through creation, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.”
The world and the devil twist things to keep God out of people’s minds. Public school teaches evolution. Creation isn’t allowed in, even more so it’s mocked. The famous atheist Richard Dawkins has said that evolution has made the world safe for atheists (paraphrase). To some degree he’s right. There is pressure to agree with evolution. It seems silly to science minded people to consider creation.
God doesn’t accept this as an excuse. The bible says “The fool has says, ‘There is no God”, (Psalm 14:1a). To deny God we have to deny obvious evidence. Creation is way too perfect and complex. Bill Gates said that the dna code is far more complex than any computer coding. Yet, no one believes that a computer evolved. Every living thing is a make up of very complex coding. There are thousands of creatures on land, in the sky and in the sea. The odds of randomness making these is far from possible.
God speaks to our consciences and our minds. We are much more than the physical. We have spirits and souls. All cultures seek to make sense of things and usually construct some sort of religion. God’s voice and involvement with people can’t be denied.
Our inner lives are more significant than our outer ones. Our peace and contentment is what we all strive for. We can’t have that if we are empty or enslaved. God speaks to our hearts and minds. We choose to accept or deny.
The world and the devil may seek to deny and combat God, He is still reaching out and preaching peace. Just as spring warms and drives off winter, God has His way. People can adhere to their blindness, but they are choosing it. God’s message and reality are there. Just as the tide comes in and can’t be stopped, His message and ways are there.
Many choose Him and accept His peace. Just as the Narnia spring spreads so God’s healing ways fill and change lives. The burden of guilt and sin are erased. That’s the first part, forgiveness. That would be enough, but there is far more. God loves us and wants to be in a relationship with us. He wants to bless our lives and He wants to bless us so that we will be a witness for Him to draw others. Our lives can be part of the message of peace that He sends.
Lord, thank You for sending the message to us. The devil and the world sought to disguise it, but You broke through. Thank You for this peace and healing. Help us to share that peace with others.