Breaking the Walls Of Hostility in Ephesians 2:14

Breaking the Walls Of Hostility in Ephesians 2:14

June 4

~ Today’s Scripture Art and Bible blog post were designed to help us all learn how to break walls of hostility the biblical way. ~

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It is difficult to know what to say. Words fall short.

And it doesn’t help that I am a slow processor.

But process, I will.

I will process the unrest and hurting in America the same way I process anything else …

through God’s Word.

Breaking down the walls of hostility in Ephesians 2:14 - with Scripture Art — *Shop this printable HERE.*

If you’ve been around this blog for any length of time, you know that I try hard not to make it about my opinion – although I usually have one! {grin}

Instead, I want to point you to God’s opinion.

Why?

John 3:30 (ESV): He must increase, but I must decrease.

So, I am opening my Bible.

I will take some time. I will listen, slowly process, learn, and most-importantly – grow.

I will pray for Jesus to change my heart to become more like His.

Because I know without a doubt how He feels about racism …

Genesis 1:27 (ESV): So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God made every single human being, in His image.

James 2:1, 9 (NLT): My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? […] But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

Racism is a sin.

Can it be any clearer?

Ephesians 2:14 helps us learn how to break down the walls of racism in our hearts.

Matthew 25:40 (ESV): And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

We did it to Jesus!

Matthew 22:38-39 (ESV): This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

When we look up the Greek word translated as neighbor in this particular verse, we find this definition: according to Christ, any other man irrespective of nation or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet.

Revelation 5:9 (ESV): And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

Jesus died for every tribe and language.

Galatians 3:26-28 (ESV): for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Every male and every female.

Acts 10:34-35 (ESV): So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Every nation.

Ephesians 2:14 Scripture Art - Christ Himself is our peace.

Take a look at the heart of Jesus …

Ephesians 2:14-16 (NLT): 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.

Our hostility toward each other should already be put to death.

But racism still rears its ugly head. Like a snake. The enemy thrives on hostility.

John 10:10 (ESV): The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

So what can we do?

Let’s start by looking at those verses a little closer.

Verse 14 in the ESV says: For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.

We need Jesus.

If we want to break down the wall of hostility in our hearts, we need Jesus to do it.

For He Himself is our peace.

We can’t change our hearts simply by making up our minds to do so.

Oh we can try, but sin will continue to crouch at our door.

Jesus is the only way.

We are designed to need Him to make the change!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

A few months ago I put together 31 verses to pray for lasting heart change.

It’s one of the 7 free printables in the Insider Gallery.

I would love to send it to you so we can change together …

Let’s ask Jesus to break down the wall of hostility in our hearts.

Lord, let it start with me.

Decrease my heart, and increase Yours.

Breaking down the walls of hostility in Ephesians 2:14.

Just imagine …

if every person in every nation truly loved and lived like Jesus.

John 13:35 (ESV): By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Peter 1:22 (ESV): Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

Jesus, forgive me for the times I haven’t counted others more significant than myself. Help me repent, humble myself, and long for obedience. Transform my heart to be more and more like Yours with each passing day. Amen.

May Jesus break down the walls of hostility in every heart – starting with mine!