Built Together for God’s Presence

Paul tells his Gentile readers that their former distance has been overcome through Christ’s blood. Yet the result is more than individual access to God. Jesus reconciles both Jews and Gentiles to God in one body, making peace where hostility once divided them. Paul then changes the picture from estranged peoples to a shared household and finally to a growing temple. Christ is the cornerstone, and these believers are being fitted together as God’s dwelling in the Spirit. Their belonging is neither second-class nor solitary. They have access to the Father together, and their life together displays the peace Christ has made. For churches today, this challenges any habit of treating believers from another background as permanent outsiders. We do not create Christ’s reconciling work, but our welcome and shared worship should reflect it.

Put the Word into practice

At your next church gathering, intentionally welcome a believer from a different background and invite them to pray with you as a fellow member of God’s household.

Search the Scripture

How does Paul’s movement from strangers to household members to a shared temple challenge the boundaries you maintain within the church?

A prayerful response

Father, thank you for bringing us near through Jesus. Forgive the ways we preserve distance from people you have welcomed. By your Spirit, shape us into a holy community whose relationships reflect the peace Christ has made. Amen.