QT 8/31/2026 Ephesians 2:14–18, Hate in today's society

Ephesians 2:14–18 (ESV) —

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

 

NOTE: There should be no hostility between Jew and Gentile, especially in the church. Antisemitism will probably reign in the world until the end days, but in the church, it should not. God has created one new man, the church in place of two: believing Jews and believing Gentiles. Both groups have received the message of peace. We, Gentiles, have access to the Father through the same Spirit that gives believing Jews access to the Father. We are one in Jesus.

 

But what about hostility to unbelieving Jews? The New Testament authors clearly tell believers (Jew and Gentile) to love our brothers and our neighbors as ourselves. We can disagree with actions taken by others, but we must love them. We can speak against sin, but we must love the sinner. The world does the opposite, it hates those who do not agree with its' philosophy. It says it hates those who hate, but the only haters are those opposed to us. They call it hate when we call sin what it is, sin. And we do need to be careful not to allow our hatred for the sin to cloud our respect for the individual. All people are made in the image of God (they are NOT children of God but they are made in his image). They deserve love and respect, and truth.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I hate the sin, but still love and respect the sinner?

 

PRAYER: Father, there is so much rage today. Most of the rage is on the political left. They killed a man, Charlie Kirk, for hate, but whenever he questioned an individual to show him how he hated, they never had an answer. The left hates those who will not support their sin. Help me to know how to love in word and deed. I know that loving a person includes telling the truth. Not telling the truth only deludes the person and is not loving. Help me to tell truth, and to show other signs of visible love to the person who considers me an enemy.