Love God Greatly - Secure in Christ: One Faith, One Family, One SaviorSample

Week 2 / Alive By Grace

United in Christ

Read: Ephesians 2:14-18

SOAP: Ephesians 2:17-18

"And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, so that through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." (NET)

Into the Text

One of the greatest gifts of the New Testament is that all believers are unified into one body of Christ. This may sound impossible, especially with the division that plagues our societies today. But, in Christ, we can have peace with God and peace with one another.

This peace is much more than the absence of arguments or pretending to get along with others. Rather, it is a peace that is rooted in the truth of the gospel and having access to God the Father.

It comes from knowing that we are all sinners who have been saved by grace; therefore, we extend the same grace and forgiveness to others. This is why we fight for unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are all on the same mission to grow in grace and to make the name of Christ known throughout the world. It is through Christ that we can lock arms together, no matter who we are, where we come from, our backgrounds, or likes and dislikes.

This means that we fight for understanding and reconciliation. We overlook smaller offenses. We hold one another accountable to not be pulled away by sin. We seek to outdo one another in love and live in fellowship with one another.

Christ didn’t come so that we would live isolated lives. He came so that we could be part of His holy family.

Today, we can strive to be peacemakers united under the banner of Christ. You have a role to play in the kingdom, and you’re called to do it alongside your fellow believers.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you that you are the Prince of Peace. I pray that you would help me to be a peacemaker within the body of Christ and to seek to love and serve those around me. Amen.