May 1st | United as One People

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

UNITED AS ONE PEOPLE

Ephesians 2:14-16 “For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of His death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.” 

The United States has been described as a “melting pot.” Greg Richter describes the United States as “diverse cultures and ethnicities come together to form the rich fabric of our Nation.” This coming together of cultures has not always been perfect, but this nation remains strong even in its diversity. 

The body of Christ, His church, also has great diversity. Jokingly, Lutherans have said that German will be the language spoken in heaven. Obviously, this has been said because the German Reformer Martin Luther has had a great influence upon Christianity throughout the world.   

The truth is, as St. Paul wrote: In Christ Jesus “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are His heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.” (Galatians 3:28-29) There is no emphasis upon one ethnic group over another in God’s plan of salvation.   

John 3:16 says “God love the world . . .” 1 Timothy 2:4 says that “God would have all men to be saved. . .” There will be felons in heaven such as the thief on the cross. Jesus said to him, “today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Jesus associated with all kinds of people while on earth including outcasts, lepers, tax collectors and treated women with respect while the culture placed a lesser value on them.   

Jesus, through His death on the cross reconciled all men to His heavenly Father. After His resurrection, prior to His ascension, He spoke the words that today we know as the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations. . .” (Matthew 28:19-20)   

You are not superior or inferior to other human beings in God’s sight. He sees you through His Son Jesus as without sin, adopts you as His own dear child, through Jesus has an eternal place reserved for you where you will be with Him forever. God, through Christ, has united you with your fellow believers to be one people.” 

Prayer: Lord, help me to always remember that I am united with Christ and through Him an heir of Your heavenly Kingdom. Amen 

Where charity and love prevail   
There God is ever found;  
Brought here together by Christ’s love  
By love are we thus bound. 

With grateful joy and holy fear  
His charity we learn;  
Let us with heart and mind and soul  
Now love Him in return. 

Forgive we now each other’s faults   
As we our faults confess,  
And let us love each other well  
In Christian holiness. 

Let strife among us be unknown;  
Let all contention cease;  
Be God’s the glory that we seek  
Be ours His holy peace. 

Let us recall that in our midst  
Dwells Christ, His only Son;  
As members of His body joined   
We are in Him made one. 

For Love excludes no race or clan  
That names the Savior’s name;  
His family embraces all  
Whose Father is the same.  (LSB 845)