Do not cause offense either to the Jews or to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God (1 Corinthians 10: 32)
As I conclude the lessons Easter brings to us, I want us to end with one fascinating creation that came into existence because of Easter. It's called the Church.
Before Easter, there were only two kinds of creation on earth - the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews became God's people through Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants and the Gentiles became a people of another god. I won't mention his name.
Paul tell us, "Therefore remember that you, formerly you were Gentiles by birth (or in the flesh), who were looked down as uncircumcised by the Jews who were the circumcised, but by human hands, and at that time you were without Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in this world (Eph 2: 11 -12). Wow. This is serious , Paul, but it was true. But here comes the grace of God. "But now, through Jesus Christ, you Gentiles who once were afar off have been brought in by the blood of Christ (Eph 2: 13). Hallelujah. Thank you Jesus. Christ abolished the dividing wall of separation , and hostility and made peace between the Jews and Gentiles, so as to create in Himself one new man or one new people from the two groups. And this new people or creation that came to being through the death and resurrection of Jesus is called the Church or Ekklesia (Matth 16: 18).
So now we can paraphrase today's devotion scripture as, Put no offense or stumbling block In the way of the Jews or the Gentiles (Unbelievers) or the Church (Believers) of God. So now the groups that exist in this world which Heaven recognizes are the Jews, the Believers (Christians) and Unbelievers (Gentiles by birth). And truly God has different programs for all these groups. Their destinies are not the same. But the destinies of the Believers and the Jews, I must say, are good and desirable, but that of the Unbelievers is heartbreaking, fearful and serious.
The Lord Jesus promised to build His church on a rock, that is, a foundation of truth. So Paul exhorts us that we ought know how to conduct ourselves in the house of God, which is the Church of God, for it's the Pillar and Foundation of the truth (1 Tim 3: 15). And not only that, for the Church of God was purchased by God with His own precious blood, which He shed on Calvary cross (Acts 20: 28).
Question: Which of these three groups of creation do you belong or identified yourself with? And do you know the destiny of your group?
Remember, life in this world is not about you or your religion or denomination or race or tribe or nationality. It's about God's purposes and divine agenda.
The good news is that through the grace given to us by Easter, you can safely change your group and therefore your eternal destiny.
And to those who already identified with the Church, my counsel to you is, don't hide behind church actions , denominational spirit and religious ceremonies and miss the ultimate purpose and goal of God. For Christ Jesus is truly building His church and the gates of Hades would not prevail against it.
May the blessing of Easter come upon us all this season and may the Lord help us live in the light of His grace and truth bestowed on us through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Calvary in Jesus name. Amen
Shalom, life and grace to you
Moving people onto God's purposes
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