hostilility: noun 1.a hostile state, condition, or attitude; enmity; antagonism; unfriendliness
I have been grieved in recent weeks almost every time I look at my newsfeed on Facebook. It seems like so many posts and links either recount or spew hostility. They swirl with tragedy, abuse, travesty, injustice, violence. And I am most bothered by the fact that some of this hostility comes from people who claim Jesus as their Lord.
Dear Christian, we of all people should be MOST COMPASSIONATE because we see our sin! We should be MOST GRACIOUS because we know what sinners need! We should be MOST KIND because we long for the grace and hope we've received to extend to others!
This does not mean that we cease to speak out against sin. Sin should grieve us because it is an assault on God's holiness. Sin should grieve us because it destroys people and relationships. And I should grieve first over my own sin. And then, because I love you, I should plead with you to repent of your sin and turn to the Savior.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by 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, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Ephesians 2:13-16
We can talk about all kinds of differences. Race. Gender. Ethnicity. Political party. But really there is only one kind of person. Sinners. And Jesus came to break down all the walls we erect for ourselves, and unite us in Himself. He brought us peace! Peace with God and peace with others! And because of His work, we should have no hostility left for God's image bearers!
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:17-22
Dear Christian, preach the way to peace! Preach Jesus Christ, the Savior of sinners! Preach the One who loves His image bearers and died to restore them!
