FWD: Morning Manna (Jan. 19); BP: Eph. 2:11-22; RBTTY: Mt. 13:1-30; Gen.

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:59:10 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Jan. 19); BP: Eph. 2:11-22; RBTTY: Mt. 13:1-30; Gen.
 

January 19                                                                                           “On Peace, Pride and Prejudice”

 

“For He is our peace, Who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us, 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. . .and that He might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the Cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”

                                                                                                                                      Ephesians 2:14-16

     In Christ, there’s no black-, white-, brown- or yellow-skinned people; there are only those who are red.

     By nature we are more prone to be a “problem-child” than we are a “peacemaker.”  After the first couple sinned, Adam blamed Eve for his transgression and Eve blamed the serpent (Gen. 3:8-13).  Likewise, Cain became enraged when God “had respect unto Abel and his offering,” but didn’t for his (Gen. 4:4-6).

 

     Likewise, after the Tower of Babel fell, confusion and division reigned upon the earth (Gen. 11:1-9).  This, like Adam and Eve’s sin, stemmed from the original sin of pride and disobedience.  Thus, today’s Manna is indeed a profound one because it’s telling us that Jesus’ death on the Cross essentially reversed all of this—enabling us to be reconciled with God and each other.

 

     Let’s face it:

     We, by nature, are all prejudiced.  We discriminate against others because of the color of their skin. . . where they’re from. . .our religious differences. . .their ethnic background   . . .their body size, etc.  Truly, pride is an insidious and pervasive sin—one from which we all suffer as we judge each other and try to mold them into our own image (Gen. 3:5-6).

 

     But, in Christ we receive a new heart and mind.  And, in the process we also receive “new eyes.”  As mentioned previously, instead of seeing the various shades of skin color we simply see “red”—i.e., someone for whom Jesus died, who needs to be covered by His blood.  Hallelujah!!

 

    And, in Christ we begin to love those we used to detest.  Instead of feeling uncomfortable around them, we begin to feel compassion toward them and even reach out to them.  Instead of pulling our “robes of self-righteousness” tightly around ourselves like the Pharisees, we begin looking for opportunities to “wash their feet.”

 

     Why is it that we sanction division here on earth while labeling it “diversity”?  Did not Christ come to “break down the middle wall of partition between us” and “in Himself to make both one, which produces peace”?

 

     Assuredly He did.

     Therefore, we should constantly ask the Holy Spirit to help us “pull down the strongholds of pride and prejudice” or anything that divides us.  Only then can we “become one” and experience His “indescribable peace” (Phil. 4:7).  Only then.

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