Peace, a very precious commodity, can be lost easily. In Ephesians 2:14-18, Paul taught the Jewish and Gentile believers that as Christ is their Peace, they can have peace one with another. It is vital for a church to have peace within so that they can grow spiritually. Paul gave three reasons why Christ is their peace.

The partition is dissolved (Eph 2:14-15) : Christ has broken down/dissolved the partition between the Jewish and the Gentile believers. In the Old Testament, God built a partition (by the Law of Moses) between the Jews and the other nations (i.e. Gentiles), in order to protect the national witness of Israel. This partition separates the Jews from the Gentiles. The Jews could not make business contracts or have marriage covenants with the Gentiles. But now, the national witness of God has changed to the church witness of God. In Acts 10:9-16, God told Peter through a vision that what He has cleansed, Peter cannot call unclean. Because of Christ, the Jewish and Gentile believers can have fellowship one with another and eat together at each other’s homes. Christ has made these two groups one new man. But pride always stands in the way in the church as well as in the Christian home. Because of personal preferences (not doctrinal differences), tension may arise and is allowed to fester. Will we seek reconciliation and make the first move to apologise? Christ has already dissolved that partition. Do not build the partition again. Tensions due to pride in the Christian home can hurt not only the relationship between spouses, but also with children, with lasting consequences. Tensions in the church can prevent the church from growing spiritually. Seek reconciliation, for Jesus’ sake.

Salvation of one body (Eph 2:16-17) : Christ saved all to Himself, whether they be Jews (“nigh”) or Gentiles (“afar off”), with the same gospel. He is the Head of one body. When one part of the body is hurt, all parts of that body will feel the pain. When one part rejoices, we all are to rejoice, and not be envious (Rom 12:15). Not only must we fellowship, but we must also be involved and serve together in this same body. Disputes may happen due to personal differences but we must seek reconciliation for Jesus’ sake.

Access by one Spirit (Eph 2:18) : The same Holy Spirit indwells all believers. Through Him, we can have access to God the Father. It is most blessed when we can pray together to God. When we are at odds with one another, our prayers will not be accepted. Do not let pride stop us from having peace with one another.

Do not let anything rob us of this peace in Jesus Christ, personally and in church.