DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 28 January 2025: Now One In Christ
Text: Ephesians 2:10-22 (KJV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one* new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby*:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
KEY VERSE: Ephesians 2:13
“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
During World War 2, Hitler commanded all religious groups to unite so that he could control them. Among the brethren/assemblies, half complied, and half refused. Those who followed the order had a much easier time – those who did not comply faced harsh persecution. In almost every family of those who resisted, someone died in a concentration camp. When the war ended, bitterness ran deep between the groups, and much tensions existed. Finally, they decided that the situation had to be healed. Leaders from each group met at a quiet retreat. For several days, each person prayed, examining their heart in the light of Christ’s commands. Then they came together. Francis Schaeffer, who told of the incident, asked a friend there, “What did you do then?” “We were just one,” he replied. As they confessed their hostility and bitterness to God and yielded to His control, the Holy Spirit created a spirit of unity among them. Love filled their hearts and dissolved their hatred. This is the similar oneness that exists in genuine believers.
Paul was writing to the Ephesians who lived in diverse and divided cultures tainted by social, religious and economic barriers. He was exhorting them to use the gospel to heal these differences. When the gospel is preached and embraced, the walls people have built between themselves are broken down. We all become one family; we are no longer strangers to God. We all become part of the beautiful temple with Christ as the Cornerstone. This confirms the mystery, Paul said, was hidden for ages: “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6)! Gospel indeed is the great unifier of people!
Many barriers including age, appearance, intelligence, tribe, political persuasion, economic status, race, and beliefs, can divide us in Christendom. But the Lord expects every genuinely converted believer to downplay these differences and relate freely with our fellow brethren. We must be one in Christ. That’s the only way the world will know that we are Christ’s disciples indeed.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Believers will do well not to build again the walls of partitions that Christ destroyed.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 39-40
Daily Manna 28 January 2025
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