A Life Worthy

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations (Ephesians 2:15).

Now wait a minute, Paul.

Jesus himself said, Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17).

So…

Beloved, you know I’m not a Bible scholar, but this is how it seems to me:

The Law is good. God created it, and if Man could live by the Law, it would save him.

But

man couldn’t…not even for a little bit. So the Law became a wall dividing men from God, and dividing Jews from everyone else.

When Jesus came and lived the Law to perfection, he became the only one ever to earn Heaven on his own merit. When he died on the cross, paying a price he didn’t have to pay, he completed the process of atonement that no one else could complete.

Hence, It is finished.

So it seems to me that when Paul talks of abolishing the Law, he is speaking of those effects of the Law that separate us, the “commandments and regulations” that kept people divided into camps.

Jesus died and rose to knock down walls.

So, let them fall.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

For he himself is our peace…(Ephesians 2:14)

It isn’t so much that he brings peace

or makes peace

or counsels peace

or helps you find peace

or teaches peace…though he does all those things.

He is peace.

Now, that’s a big concept for me to get my heart around, but I’m going to try today. Frankly, it simplifies things somewhat:

Stressed? Turn to Jesus.

Frightened? Turn to Jesus.

Angry? Turn to Jesus.

Lonely? Turn to Jesus.

Confused? Turn to Jesus.

Sad? Turn to Jesus.

I think this might be the ultimate life-simplification strategy.

Walk in Christ today, Beloved.

Happy Monday

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)–remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:11-12).

Well, now…that’s uplifting, ya?

Paul is talking to the Gentiles here, those who were not born into Israel and therefore did not share in Israel’s promise under the Old Covenant. But frankly, I can’t help personalizing this, because I’m just that egocentric. I can’t read this passage without remembering my own life B.C.  I was outside, I was separate from Christ, I was excluded, I was without hope and without God.

As were you

Don’t worry–there’s an A.D, to follow the B.C.

but not today.

Today,  just spend a little time remembering who you were, where you were, what you were, before the Lord of the Universe stepped in. I know it stings, but it’s good for us.

You’ll thank me later.

Happy Thursday, Beloved

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…(Ephesians 2:10)

“Aha! See, I told you it’s about works!”

Well, of course it is

and

no it isn’t.

Beloved, Jesus does not love you because of what you do. That, quite frankly, is a lie from the pit of hell that will torment you if you let it. Please do not undo God’s loving grace over one phrase.

However,

God did not create the unique, complex, individually awesome and talented you just so you can sit and watch the world go by. He created you to do stuff.

And you probably already are.

So, here’s a thought for my friends who get caught up in the need to do more and build more and be more…which is probably most of us. This verse does not just apply to serving meals in a soup kitchen or building houses in another country or teaching children overseas–though those are all wonderful things that God may have for you. This verse also applies to the kind word spoken in passing. It applies to an honest day’s work that benefits others. It applies to raising children that will follow Christ. It applies to studying hard to learn and build a God-honoring future.

Beloved, you will have epic moments, but you will have far more mundane moments.

Make them count.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:9).

Because we would.

Boast, that is.

I mean, I have been known to open a jar for my wife and then claim credit for “making dinner.”

When we apply that concept to our spiritual life, we find that it’s a very small step from, “GOD + me” to works-based religiosity, name-it-claim-it theology, self image issues, legalism, and Towers of Babel in your backyard.

No, those aren’t cell phone towers.

Anyway, God, in his infinite wisdom, made it very clear that our salvation is absolutely NOT up to us.

That’s freeing…aaaand a little frustrating,

and perfectly, thoroughly as it should be.

It’s for you, Beloved, but it’s not up to you.

Happy Friday