Title: Peace (Ephesians 2:14-18)
The new man refers to a new race created by crossing the gap between Jews and Gentiles. In other words, it was made into an existence outside the framework of those who judged by competition in the past and tried to win based on it. As if supporting this, verse 16 says, "He might reconcile them to God in one body through the cross, so that enmity was consumed by the cross." In other words, through the cross, we have now become one body, and that form is the state in which all enmity has been eliminated. So what is peace? Are you simply saying that you have no worries and no worries? no. This peace is a word related to God's work of redemption. Humans are fundamentally without peace. Why? because of sin. However, through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the problem of sin is solved, and the problem of human peace is solved. It's not just about anxiety, worry, or war, but it's peace itself to be in Jesus.
This is shown in verse 18. Why did the Jews and the Gentiles become one and a new man? Why did Jesus shed His blood on the cross for this? It is said that he might have access to the Father in one Holy Spirit. There is a case that illustrates this well. It was when Jesus died on the cross that the veil of the temple was torn in two. During this time, no one was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could barely enter on the Day of Atonement. Even when entering, they put a bell on the outside to check whether they were dead or alive. But all these things were abolished, and anyone could come to God through Christ. This is the true face of the church. It is a non-discriminatory meeting, where everyone can go forward by calling on the name of God. In the end, the church became one body because of the cross. Regardless of the race, the yellow race, the white race, the educated, the uneducated, the Kim clan, or the Lee clan, it is a gathering gathered with the power of the cross and the traces of it.
If so, what kind of discrimination is there in this church and is there any difference? The values and principles of the world do not apply to the church. What kind of contention is there between those who know that they are all sinners before God? There were two. These two don't know anything about fighting. So, one person suggested that we fight. So I took one thing and said this is mine. So? What would be the answer? You bring this. The church is a gathering of fools. They are living beings who know what the peace of the Lord is. New person. The world is bloody with competition and strife, but the church is a being who abides in Christ, who is at peace without competition and strife. We exist to show this on this earth. But what is the modern church showing the world? This is what I am unhappy with. If the competition in the world enters the church as it is, what is it that the religious life becomes a competition, and the church and the church become competitors? The church exists to show peace. In other words, it is a meeting that shows the way to God.
It does not exist to show and teach the values or principles of this world. To yield to Jesus Christ is peace. To live according to His will, to live without being bound by the things of this world, this is peace. Why are we anxious and worried and why do we have quarrels? Are you jealous, jealous, and envious of others? because of greed. We still exist as we are, because I myself have not yet surrendered to the Lord. Surrender. Let it all go, give yourself up according to the will of the Lord. This is what peace is.