Are you living a Missional Life

Ephesians was written by Paul to a congregation established on one of Paul’s later missionary journeys (Acts 19). It was written from Rome, probably in A.D. 62 or 63. The theme of Ephesians is the church as a living organism, the actual body of the living Christ. It is a key book for understanding our personal relationship with Jesus, and how to live with our fellow Christians in a nurturing, ministering relationship. Ephesus was “the” religious center of the province of Asia. The great temple of Artemis there drew tourists and worshipers, and served as a giant bank from which cities and nations as well as individuals applied for loans. This highly successful institutionalized religion is the backdrop against which Paul gives us a vision of the church of Jesus Christ. This church is no institution: it is a body, a family, a holy but living temple. It reveals a glory in the living personalities of its members which far outshines the glory of the stone temple of Ephesus, even though that temple was four times the size of the Parthenon of Athens. This book is an important one for Christians to study today. It helps us not to think of our own churches in institutional terms—as buildings and programs and activities alone. It helps us to see ourselves, and one another, as living expressions of a Christ who still expresses His glory in human lives.”[1]

Because of this I want to look at Ephesians 2:11-22 and have us think about openness and being one in Christ not only with those like us but with those we disagree with.

Ephesians 2:11-22 One in Christ

11Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by 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, 16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. [2]

Another aspect of our new identity has a direct impact on our relationship with other Christians. We once defined our relationships with others on the basis of the things that made us different, even as Jew and Gentile were aware of the cultural and religious gap that not only separated them, but also made them enemies. But now in Christ the gap has been closed, and Jesus has made peace. From even such hostile elements God has made “one body.” By being reconciled to God, we are at the same time reconciled to one another.”[3] “The “one body” theme is important, for the new identity we are urged to grasp is not found in isolation. We are to see ourselves as “fellow citizens with God’s people”. As members of God’s household, we are “being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives.”

This starts with us exposing our masks and really looking at what is inside. As we dig deep into who we are and what our heart shows us we are we see the truth of our

condition and then can see a way to change. We need to ask ourselves, What am I least open to?

What is it that rubs me the wrong way and why?

What pain in my life is influencing my actions towards others and the world around me? This last theme is one that Paul developed carefully in both Ephesians and Colossians. We have been given new life, and have been given power to live it. But we do not live isolated lives. We grow to full stature in Christ as members of a household. It is in the fellowship of other believers that individuals are formed into a living, growing organism that “rises to become a holy temple in the Lord” This focus on the community of faith gives us a new perspective on personal growth and identity.

As we open our hearts to this new life in community we open ourselves to each other. So what is openness? Openness is to be with, eat with, and walk with other people always. Openness is being ourselves, the God created individuals, while being vulnerable and learning from each other. Openness is being invested in people. Openness means living a missional life. As we are open to each other and we are vulnerable in our lives a connection is created over time that creates a bond. This bond creates a family, that family creates one Body that works together. All this comes from reconciliation. And we do not have to do this on our own. No longer do we see Jesus primarily in relationship to the believing individual. We see Jesus as Head of a living body. We see God’s intention to:

• “bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one Head, even Christ” (1:10);

• place “all things under His feet” and appoint “Him to be Head over everything for the church, which is His body” (vv. 22–23); and

• set Christ Jesus Himself as the chief Cornerstone. “In Him the whole building is joined together” (2:21).

This beautiful picture of this foundation of strength helps us to understand what we stand on and how important it is to God to be reconciled to God and to each other. This should drive us to be missional. This should drive us to look at every situation, every relationship as an opportunity to reconcile and to create oneness in Christ as we are open to each other. So lets read this one more time.

Ephesians 2:11 One in Christ

Are we we ready to kill the hostility by being open to each other, living in community, and living a missional life of reconciliation.

[1] Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher’s commentary (p. 913). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 2:11–22). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[3] Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher’s commentary (p. 915). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 2:11–22). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.