“6This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” – Ephesians 3:6 & 2:14 (ESV)
Paul points out here that all of us are members of the body of Christ. Not just those who are of the chosen, but all who are in this world.
Too often, there is a sense that only certain people are able to be a part of something. Where it may seem that way to the casual observer, Paul points out that is not the case when it comes to being members of the body of Christ. In verse 6 from chapter 3 there is notice that Gentile are “fellow heirs” in verse 14 of chapter 2, he points out that “both” Jew and Gentile are as one in Christ.
I am reminded of the saying in sports that coaches do have favorites, even when we don’t really want them to. Those favorites are those who are working and doing the work on the field and in the gym and in the weight room. I look at our relationship with Christ and see the same thing in Him. God does not concern himself with who it is that is coming to Him, whether Jew or Gentile, He is concerned with the work in the heart of the individual.
We are all members of the body of Christ. Not matter our background or any other characteristics. God is not concerned with the outward appearance or what has happened in the past. He only concerns Himself with the now and the state of the heart and the devotion to Him. It is this that He recognizes and accepts that one into the family of God to be “fellow heirs” in heaven.
What is your take on who is part of the body of Christ? Are you of the thinking that there is some outward right of one over another? What if you just accepted the heart of the individual as the indicator and accepted them as Christ accepts them?
Trevor's Thoughts 