Eph. 2:14 “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation….”
Christ is our peace. Christ is peace. He doesn’t just try to bring peace. He does it…completely! Too often we believe that his peace is fleeting, incomplete or perhaps that it’s one sided (peace for me, but not for my wife), but that is not the definition of peace. The scripture says, “[He] has made both one, and broken the middle wall of separation.” Eph. 2:14 is the perfect definition of what true peace is.
Imagine what peace with your neighbor would look like~
Instead of measuring your property line with a ruler every time they mow their lawn, you forget to even notice because it truly doesn’t bother you that they over-stepped the line. Instead of griping about the poor condition of your neighbor’s yard or house, you went over to help in their time of need. Imagine sitting down together, breaking bread with your neighbor, praying for their needs, and asking the Lord to bless them. This is the peace of Christ where breaks down the wall of separation.
Imagine what peace in the Middle East would look like~
It would probably resemble peace with your neighbor, but on a much grander scale. There would be no more fighting, bombing, cutting off resources, or killing. There would be no more power-struggles to take over certain countries, no more persecution for peoples’ differences, and there would be an open door policy to their country – a welcoming spirit. There would be no over-priced oil, but rather a genuine desire to preserve this natural resource while sharing it for the benefit of all. Not only would they share with us, but we would share our resources and aid with them. We would be allies (friends) rather than adversaries. Only Christ is able to bring peace, but that’s what he came to do, and will do. The Lion will lay down with the lamb. Seems almost unfathomable, doesn’t it.
Scripture goes on to say in Eph. 2:18 that “through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” By the shed blood of Jesus upon the cross He has taken people who are enemies and made them one in the Spirit. He has brought peace by the His crimson blood. This peace, His peace, is not just a show, an act if you will; this is true peace. This is the 2nd chapter of Acts kind of peace. It’s where brothers & sisters sold all they had to care for one another. Where no one considered themselves above another, and where they were in one accord (peace).
Imagine what peace in your marriage would look like~
It would probably resemble Christ’s relationship to the church. He loved her so much that he willingly laid down his life for her. Peace with your spouse would be sacrificial: without pride, without selfishness, without comparison, without judgment. You would be one in Spirit, but that doesn’t mean you share a brain. You would still have your own unique thoughts, ideas, hopes and dreams, but being one in Spirit means that are submitted to one another and to the Lord, and desire to find common ground.
Paul wrote, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding….” The peace of Christ is beyond our full comprehension. The way I imagined peace with our neighbors, with the Middle East and in our marriages, doesn’t even begin to encapsulate how beautiful, rich, full and amazing His peace is. Let us press in for His peace, which breaks down the walls of separation and makes us one. He Himself is our peace, and this peace is good.
