Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3 (Ephesians 1-6)
Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is probably a circular correspondence with many copies, sent to a general population of congregations with the opportunity to make each letter personal by inserting the Church’s name. The message delivered was universal; the relationship between Christ and His Church is purposeful and Holy and should transform the lives of those who call themselves Christians.
Because of the bitter disputes and prejudices between Messianic Jews and Gentile converts, Paul teaches love and Christian brotherhood, a Oneness in Christ. God’s eternal purpose, through His everlasting kindness, is forgiveness, redemption and adoption. The invitation to accept these gifts is universal. It excludes no one. Those who have accepted are new creatures, set apart from the dark environment around them. Their morals to not align with the world, relationships follow the paradigm of Christ’s submission to His Father, and they dress themselves differently as they daily don the Full Armor of God.
In the Man, Jesus The Christ, Conqueror of death, there is room for diversity, of culture, gender, ethnicity, social status and opinion, to become unified and live in harmony. There is no human gulf too great for God to bridge. However, we are His tools and we must allow His blue print and mallet to shape us as He wills.
Love,
Gretchen