He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death the hostility through it.
Ephesians 2:15-16
In this passage, Paul writes of unifying diverse communities – Jews and Gentiles – through God's sacrifice of his only son. Through the cross, which supersedes the manifold laws and regulations of man, God is offering us the opportunity to create one, peaceful humanity from previously divided peoples. In today's world, this sounds like a tall order. Daily, the evening news is filled with reports of conflicts between ethnicities or religions, within societies or between them – a "clash of civilizations" is often used to describe the current global dynamic. In such a context, is it possible to achieve God's vision as articulated by Paul? It seems unlikely, given the complexity of the challenge and the depth and strength of views held by opposing sides. If our mission as Christians is to bring others to the church, will we ever succeed? How? Through missions? Witness? Love? Force?
These are difficult and uncomfortable topics to think about, much less discuss amicably and rationally with friends, among communities, or between societies. What are we as individuals supposed to do? Instead of looking at the destination – universal harmony under the unifying presence of Christ – perhaps we could choose to look at the journey. Step by step, day by day, person by person, is there something we can bring to daily discourse – a kind word, an unexpected favor, a deep breath rather than a quick, angry response to perceived injustices – that will help to spread God's word through our examples? In the midst of conflict – global, local or individual – should we not seek to be touched by what President Lincoln once called "the better angels of our nature?"
George Pickart
