A New Humanity

Ephesians 2:11–18

In his letter to the non-Jewish Christians in Ephesians, Paul highlights how they’ve gone from being far from Jesus to being brought close through His sacrifice. Jesus, who brings peace, breaks down walls of disagreement and brings together people who used to be at odds. This deep truth about the church shows God’s power in solving human disputes and building unity, something we’ll dive into more in the coming weeks.

1. What is the problem?

Paul talks about the tension between Jews and non-Jews, showing how we humans often highlight our own positives and look down on those who don’t have them. This pattern can be seen in groups, races, cultures, and social classes. This habit of feeling better about ourselves by excluding others has sparked many conflicts over the centuries. It’s a stark reminder of how our abilities or strengths can be used to create division instead of unity.

2. What is God’s solution for it?

Christianity creates a new kind of humanity that goes beyond racial and cultural lines, forming deep bonds between believers that are stronger than any other ties. The gospel changes who we see ourselves as individuals, which removes the root cause of racism – our human desire to be independent and feel good about ourselves. By showing how God accepts and delights in us, the gospel breaks down any rankings, creating unity among Christians no matter their race, class, education, or political views.

3. How did he bring it about?

Jesus Christ carried our wrongdoings on the cross, willingly taking God’s punishment that was meant for us. His willingness to identify with us, despite our faults, shows us how to accept all people, no matter where they come from or what they look like. As a sign of God’s power to change us, we should aim for cultural and racial diversity in our church communities.