Tuesday, October 5th – The Dividing Wall Has Been Removed

Unity and oneness in Christ, baptismal equality, dividing walls of the human race have been removed by Jesus Christ, which is the message Paul preached to the Galatians who were fighting amongst themselves and dividing themselves against one another. That same message is equally as relevant and important for us Christians today.

Jesus Christ has removed the dividing wall of race and ethnic background. Whether we are Jew or Gentile, black or white, brown, red or yellow, whether we are Anglicans, Catholics, or Evangel- icals, the dividing walls have been removed thanks to the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In these rather heated days of racial and ethnic tensions around the world, Paul’s words ad- monish us to repent of our own racism, to practice what we believe and preach by reconciling racial and ethnic divisions; by working for equality, justice, love and harmony among all the races and ethnic groups. We are all equal before Christ’s eyes; we are all one in Him regardless of the country we were born in or live in; regardless of our skin-colour; regardless of the language we speak.

Our oneness and unity in Christ, our baptismal equality goes even farther than racial, ethnic, slave, free dividing walls. Paul also says that in Christ: “There is no longer male and female.” Jesus Christ has removed the dividing wall of gender.

The next time you come together as a Church, think about your oneness with all who are par- ticipating in the service with you. Resolve to look beyond all cultural distinctions and do what you can to remove the barriers between you and others.

This type of unity will enrich your life and enhance your church’s influence in the world. When Christians draw close to Christ, they draw closer to one another.

May God help us all to be indeed what we are supposed to be; a united, equal, and free church; an inclusive and wholistic church; a church which rejoices in and respects our unity in diversity and our diversity in unity; a church in which there is room for everyone in Jesus name Amen.