In our everyday lives, when something breaks, our first instinct is often to throw it away. We see it as useless, beyond repair. But have you ever wondered what God does with broken things? If God had the same approach as us, would we even be here today? Instead of discarding the broken, God chooses to fix, heal, and restore. More than that, He invites us to join Him in this restoration process. This truth that lies at the heart of our faith is that we are not mere spectators but active participants in God’s plan of restoration.
From the time of Abraham, God extended an invitation to humanity to join Him in this grand plan. This covenant with Abraham required faithfulness, marking the beginning of a relationship where adherence to God's laws was seen as a sign of being chosen and faithful. The Jewish understanding of this faithfulness evolved into a strict adherence to the laws found in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. However, the message of Paul to the early Christians, especially in Ephesus, was a call to remember what Jesus did. Jesus' sacrifice was the ultimate act that annulled all other sacrifices. His crucifixion meant that no longer was it necessary to offer animals as sacrifices because He was the final, sufficient sacrifice. This act opened the door for everyone to have access to God.
Jesus' sacrifice was the ultimate act that annulled all other sacrifices.
Paul emphasised that remembering Jesus' sacrifice is crucial. The debate over circumcision or following specific laws becomes irrelevant when we focus on the cross. Jesus’ sacrifice was enough, making it possible for anyone to draw close to God. He didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfil it, showing that a relationship with God transcends any transactional nature or our ability to follow the laws perfectly. Our human relationships often reflect conditions and expectations. We are used to people withdrawing their presence when certain lines are crossed. But God assures us that nothing can make Him remove His presence from our lives. This unconditional love is difficult to grasp because it contrasts with our human experiences of conditional relationships.
Paul's message reminds us that the sacrifice of Jesus eliminates all conditions. God looked at a broken creation and chose not to destroy it but to restore it, inviting us to be part of this restoration.
When Christians live together in fellowship despite their differences, God’s presence is tangible. He is building a house where He wants to dwell, and we must recognize the beauty and holiness of unity. Our communities outside the church are often divided, but how sacred and beautiful it is when people come together. The barriers we create between each other are insignificant compared to the barrier that sin creates between us and God. Yet, God’s grace and love break through even the most formidable barriers. If God can overcome the separation caused by sin, how can we think that human-made barriers are too big for Him?
Our communities outside the church are often divided, but how sacred and beautiful it is when people come together.
The evil one revels in division among God’s children because it undermines the house God is building. To counter this, we must embrace tolerance. This doesn't mean dealing only with grand gestures but practicing tolerance in our daily interactions, especially with family and friends. We often disagree with those close to us, yet we continue to love them - that is tolerance.
Moreover, Paul’s teaching in these verses emphasises that there is one cornerstone - Jesus Christ. By focusing on this cornerstone, we can transcend our differences and build a strong, unified community of faith.
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