The word for peace (eirene) occurs 43 times in Paul's letters, eight of which are in Ephesians. Peace is a fundamental component of Paul's theology: God is a God of Peace (Rom.15:33). Christ is the Lord of peace who gives peace (2 Thess.3:16). The gospel is a gospel of peace (Eph.6:15). The mindset of the Spirit is life and peace (Rom.8:6). Peace is the goal for human relations (Rom.14:19). Peace is the foundation for problem-solving (1 Cor.7:15). The fruit of the Spirit is peace (Gal.5:17). Peace guards our hearts (Phil.4:7). Peace is not merely the absence of hostility; it is a comprehensive term for salvation and life with God.

The background to this use is the Old Testament concept of shalom which covers wholeness, physical well-being, prosperity, security, good relations, integrity. It refers to the way life should be and is the gift of God. Isaiah prophesied: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation." (52:7) The Messiah: "He will be their peace." (Mic.5:5); "He will proclaim peace to the nations." (Zech.9:10)

At the heart of the gospel message is peace. Jesus came to break down the barrier between God and humanity, and between all people. The Temple in Jerusalem enshrined this separation. The Holy of Holies was separated from the people of Israel, and the Gentiles were prohibited by a wall from entering the Temple under pain of death. Jesus came to destroy these walls, and the ceremonial law and dietary regulations that separated the Israelites from others, by uniting all people through his sacrificial death upon the Cross, reconciling all to God as an atonement for all sins. All people would henceforth have equal access to the Father by one Spirit. There would be no favorites, neither male nor female, but all would be one in Christ Jesus. All people regardless of race, gender, income and status are to be valued and treated justly and equally. No one should be allowed to feel like an outsider in the church. All people need to know they belong.

When Peter was called through a vision to share the gospel with Cornelius the Roman centurion he said, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ who is Lord of all." (Acts 10:34-36)

When I was studying theology at Cranmer Hall, Durham University, my fellow-students included Misaeri Kauma from Uganda, and Bashir Jiwan from Pakistan.

Misaeri went on to become Bishop of Namirembe. His biographer wrote, "It was Jesus Christ who allowed Misaeri to excel and to reach great heights, since Misaeri came from a family of moderately low status...it was Christ who pushed him beyond his expectations. Misaeri and his wife Geraldine's testimony was a proclamation that Jesus Christ was their chief cornerstone, their personal savior, their 'jet fighter,' and their 'greatest ladder.' Misaeri spoke of Jesus as if he was actually seeing the Lord. He told his wife Geraldine that 'If it were possible to make trust in Jesus into an injection, I would have injected all my children and all the Christians I met during my pastoral visits, because with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, everything is possible.'"

Bashir was born into a poor Punjabi family and became Bishop of Hyderabad. He pioneered healthcare, education and worship in indigenous languages for the tribal poor in Sindh. He was a strong believer in the wholeness of the Christian community and opposed the maintenance of social divisions, especially those of tribe and caste.

Why then do we still have divisions in the world and in the church? Why are there divisions between and within denominations? Why are there divisions within congregations? Why do people build walls around themselves and keep others at a distance from them? Why do people only associate with people like themselves?

First, we have not sufficiently appreciated what Christ has done for us. It is sin that separates us from God and one another. The problem of lack of peace lies within our hearts. We all need to be forgiven and reconciled to God and one another. None of us is better than another. Why hide from each other? All of us were at one time separated from God, without the hope of the Gospel until Christ brought us peace with God through his cross.

Second, we have not understood the nature of the church. There are no foreigners and aliens in the church. We are all fellow citizens with God's people, family members in God's household, living stones in God's temple of the Holy Spirit. There is no elite group in the church. We are all brothers and sisters in the family of God. "Don't show favoritism... God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith" (q.v. James 2:1-5). Why do we not reach out and invite our neighbors to join us in worship and fellowship? The church is "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

Third, what we have in common is far more important than what divides us. Our faith in Christ is our defining identity and first allegiance before anything else. I was raised under the influence of the Keswick Convention which meets each summer in Keswick in the English Lake District under the watchword "All One in Christ Jesus." It is composed of representatives of many denominations and others who gather to study the Scriptures and renew their Christian lives. In addition I was part of the Church Missionary Society which sent and supported cross-cultural missionaries to India, Pakistan, Tanzania, Singapore, France and other countries.

There should be no superiority of one person, or one group, or one club, or one church over another- we are all one in Christ Jesus. There should be no competition between churches - we each serve a common Master and Savior and Lord. There should be no exclusion of any individual or group from a church if they are seeking peace with God. We should view all people as potentially who they can be in Christ and therefore one with us. The grace that Christ extended to us should be extended to them by us. We should not re-erect barriers that Christ has destroyed - no laws, commandments and regulations that will prevent people coming to Christ. No excessive hoops through which they must jump in order to be accepted. No complicated language that they cannot understand. Instead we must extend the peace of Christ to all who would come. Many churches use these words on their masthead: To all who are weary and need rest, To all who mourn and need comfort, To all who are lonely and need fellowship, To all who sin and need a Savior, And to whoever will come We open wide our doors and welcome you in the name of Jesus Christ.

Christ is our peace. "Peace be with you." Do you have peace with God? Do you experience the peace of Christ? Do you extend peace to your neighbor? Are we "All One in Christ Jesus?"

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