Tearing Down the Walls, by Phil Ware


Because of Christ we now have peace. Christ made us both (Jews and
non-Jews) one people. The Jews and the non-Jews were separated like
there was a wall between them. They hated each other. But Christ
broke down that wall of hate by giving his own body. (Ephesians
2:14 ERV)

In the U.S., we have lived through the awful extremes of the race
issue. We’ve shared the joy of the 60th anniversary of Jackie
Robinson’s emergence to break the race barrier in baseball. We’ve
shared the embarrassment of Don Imus’ incredibly racially barbaric
slur. So rather than spending time thinking of things of say, I’d
prefer to simply share with you some Scriptures and let the Holy Spirit
remind us of the Lord’s heart on this matter.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting
life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the
world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17
NKJV)

Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete
authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples
of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all
the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you
always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT)

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all
of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor
free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in
Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-27 NASB)

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every
nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the
throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held
palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty
shout, "Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the
Lamb!"
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the
elders and the four living beings. And they fell face down before
the throne and worshiped God. They said, "Amen! Blessing and glory
and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong
to our God forever and forever. Amen!" (Revelation 7:9-12 NLT)

Let's not let these walls divide us!

Let's not let these walls divide us in the Lord's family, but instead,
let's be examples of the true community of Jesus -- without barrier,
without division, and without prejudice.