Back To Basics, part 4

So far, we've talked about our spiritual blessings in Jesus, being adopted into his family, and the grace he gives. Now, let's talk about unity.

Eph 2:11-22 (NIV)
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. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

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. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

As I mentioned in the last post, we were all at one point or another separated from God. We had no part in his family, his promises, his hope. But now, since we have believed in Jesus and named him Ruler of our lives, we have been included in the family of God to share in the hope of eternal life and all the promises that come with being his children. We have been brought near to Christ by his blood, reconciled to God, and unified as a family.

"We are not foreigners, not aliens. We're citizens, members of his household.
We seek the good, misunderstood, a brotherhood living for his household.

Once we had no hope, not a will to live.
Now we are a family with so much love to give.

We are joined together to become a holy temple,
built together to become a dwelling place where God can live."

Bonus points for anyone who can name the source of that quote.

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate