Wednesday, January 13

In the Roman empire of the Apostle Paul’s day, there were very clear distinctions that separated people along national, social and gender lines. Those who were Roman citizens, free, and male had very real rights and privileges that others did not in that culture. The message of the Gospel and the practice of the early Christians was very counter-cultural, even radical, because it did away with these distinctions.

Read Ephesians 2:14-15 & Galatians 3:26-28

Perhaps we don’t have the same prejudices or distinctions that existed in Paul’s day, but there are still plenty of distinctions and divisions in our culture.

Consider some of these major dividing lines that separate people in our culture?

Democrat Republican
Liberal Conservative
Married Divorced
Educated Uneducated
Blue Collar White Collar
Straight Gay
Cubs Sox
Obese Thin
Wealthy Poor
Green Non-Green
Creationist Evolutionist

What distinctions would you add to this list?

Questions for Reflection:

Which of these distinctions is most difficult for you? Why?

What kind of people are you most likely to judge without getting to know them?

What do you think it means when Paul says in Eph. 2:14 that Christ has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility?

How do you think the message of the Cross can help us to overcome our divisions?

Ask God to give you His grace in dealing with those that you are most likely to judge and reject. Ask Him to remind you that He has not rejected you, but has welcomed you in because of Christ!