“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be
proud, but be willing to associate with people of
low position. Do not be conceited.”
Romans 12:16 NIV
Secular society naturally encourages separation or isolation and exclusion as a way to express superiority or enhance privilege. People tend to naturally group with others they view as similar to themselves. This is normally emphasized in high school, but sometimes people keep up the social grouping and excluding after high school. God calls us to treat others with respect as all are created in the image of God. When God came to earth as Jesus of Nazareth, he called the people of Israel (who considered themselves privileged and non-Jews as unclean) to no longer look down on others who were different, but to be loving ambassadors to all and to build unity.
How do you build unity? Ephesians 2:11-22
– Include the excluded
• Ephesians 2.11-13
– Seek Peace, not war
• Ephesians 2.14-18
– Build up, not tear down
• Ephesians 2.19-22
Reflection on what the Holy Spirit is saying to you through this passage
How do I need to firm up my foundation and build unity?
– How can I reach out to the excluded?
– What can I do to be a better peace maker?
– How can I treat Christians more like family?
– Reflection Song: Sisters & Brothers (Sidewalk Prophets)