Peace in Christ | Philippians 2:5

We can exhibit and embody the peace of Christ by remembering how Christ has shown peace and restoration in our world and in our own lives. Denise McKinney reminds us that although hostility tears people apart, peace can tear down the walls of hostility we have built.

Peace in Christ

Philippians 2:5 | Week 5

November 4, 2018 | Denise McKinney

Ephesians 2:12 NLT

In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.

He calls them to remember.

They must experience peace themselves before they can give it away.

Ephesians 2:13-14 NLT

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

He gives the but now reversal.

Hostility tears people apart…

Peace tears down walls of hostility.

Ephesians 2:15-18 NLT

He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

He unveils God’s reorientation package.

One new humanity in place of two.

Boolean Algebra

1 + 1 = 1

The closer we move toward God setting all things right in the world, the farther we should move away from Us vs. Them mindsets.

Colossians 3:15 NIV

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

We invite the peace of Christ into our own lives.

We major on the major and minor on the minors.

We promote learning and discussion about how God wants us to respond to the needs for peace in our world.

We invite action that puts peace into practice.

John 14:27 NIV

My peace I give to you.