"One In Christ" - Part Two

Last week's message looked at part of Ephesians Chapter two entitled "One In Christ." We learned that Jesus Christ, True Son Of The True God, came to earth to die on a cross and to be resurrected. Most importantly, we also learned when all of God's people, Jew or Gentile, confess with their mouth Jesus Is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead they are saved as stated in Romans 10:9. Hallelujah!

Ephesians 2:15-16 says about Jesus, "His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility." Notice another reason for Jesus to come to earth was to bring about equality before God for both Jew and Gentile also to bring peace to their relationship. Has this happened? Is there true peace in the relationship between Jews and Gentiles? Yes, this has happened to a degree but not in totality.

Some Jewish people have recognized Jesus Christ as their Savior and Messiah and are saved living under the New Blood Covenant like saved Gentiles. However, this is a relatively small percentage of Jews worldwide. Why is there a hesitation on the part of Jews to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Messiah? This is explained in Romans 9:31-32, "Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, had not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were works."

The two verses at the end of Romans 9 are titled "Israel's Unbelief." They explain that Gentiles have pursued righteouness or Jesus by faith similar to Romans 10:9 saying if you believe Jesus is Lord you are saved. Romans 9:32 says Israel or the Jewish people pursued righteousness by works or the law and not by faith in Jesus.

Our purpose in bringing you these "One In Christ" messages was and is to encourage all of us to pray fervently for all unsaved people worldwide but especially for the Jewish People. Bless His Holy Name.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank