Thought of the Day !!

For he (Jesus) himself is our peace, who has made the two (Jews and Gentiles) one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Ephesians 2:14-16 (TNIV)

What are our Walls (or barriers)?

What are the walls that divide us today? Actually, there are many. One wall that stands firm between people today is named ego. This wall is built with carefully laid bricks of selfishness. It's when we think of ourselves and think we are better than others.

Another wall that is similar in size and shape to ego is the wall of pride. Its bricks are also made up of selfishness, but it is one that keeps us out of rooms we don't want to go into. Rooms like forgiveness and guilt. This is the wall that keeps us from looking foolish. Petty things can come between people and it's this wall of pride that keeps them from having to apologize or accept the fact that someone else may be right.

The last wall I will speak of is the wall of hate. It stands stronger than any wall actually. It comes in many colors. One is the color of prejudice. Another is of envy. And there are many others.

How many times have you seen a difference of opinion turn to anger? Well anger can lead to hate if we're not very careful. And the wall is up all because we couldn't agree. Sometimes on a big issue, but more often on something that doesn't mean a hill of beans when it comes to the Kingdom of God.

So what are we to do?

First of all, we have to remember that it takes hard work to break down walls. We need help, and we can find that help in Christ Jesus who exhibited ultimate love and forgiveness. We can pray for help and then do our own part...actually go about trying to change ourselves instead of worrying about changing others. This is actually a freeing experience when we have broken down the walls between us. We are free to not have things such as unforgiveness or anger hanging over us. And joy can become complete then.

May this be a day of breaking down walls instead of building them up.

In the love of Christ,
greg