*This week, we will focus on the book of Ephesians. The readings through August 31 walk through this classic letter of the Apostle Paul. I encourage you to read the book along with these devotionals, one chapter a day, mindful, of course, that there is no devotional on Saturday, August 31. But by then, you’ll be an expert on Ephesians! If you missed a day, all Think, Pray, Do, devotionals are archived at https://tedgoshorn.org/think-pray-do/. 

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 2

17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,
Ephesians 2:17-19

Think of relationships in your life, those near and far. What do you think of when hearing near or far? 

We might think of physical distance, like my in-laws live just over an hour away while my parents and brother are eight hours in opposite directions. We might think of relational distance, like my wife and I are very close while I have college friends I rarely speak to. 

Paul thinks still differently when he speaks of near and far. Those near were those near to God before Jesus; namely, Jewish followers of God. Those far were the Gentiles, who were not part of the covenant. Sometimes, as we see in the gospels, these two were opposed to each other. 

Now, Paul says, Jews and Gentiles are one. They are in the same covenant, brought from near and far to be together, to be one. Paul hits this note of unity here in Ephesians, as he does across his letters. He echoes the prayer of Jesus in the garden in John, as Jesus asks God that all people “may be one.” 

Here, we see a truth that’s true to Christianity, yet one rarely realized: division is antithetical to our faith. Yet, we like to divide. Throughout our history as a faith, we have done it over theological controversies, like the humanity of Jesus at the Council of Chalcedon or the Filioque controversy. We have done it over differences in morality, like we see in the current split roiling Methodism. Sometimes, we see in the New Testament that those who are causing harm to the church are to be cast out, but these are rare and extreme cases. And once cast out, the church sought reconciliation. 

Paul shows us that God brought those with great differences, from near and far, together as one. Those brought together, all people, are to live in peace and unity, guided by the Holy Spirit. Even when those causing trouble are cast out, reconciliation should be sought. For Paul, for Jesus, for the New Testament, division is antithetical to our faith. Put simply, division is not Christian.

Think
How do you contribute to division or unity within your local church and in your relationships? 

Pray
Pray for the unity of the church everywhere.

Do
Consider how you can build bridges with those who differ, or seem far, from you. 

Think, Pray, Do. As we respond in faith to scripture, God moves in power through our minds, hearts, and bodies. We are the people of God. Thanks for reading today. Go in peace. Amen.

Think, Pray, Do devotionals by Ted Goshorn follow the suggested bible reading plan from his website and book, Prayer Changes Us. Find this Bible reading plan at tedgoshorn.org/biblereading. If you have found today’s devotion helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for daily emails at tedgoshorn.org and share with others that we may think, pray, and do faithfully.