The Commonwealth of the Cross
Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called ‘Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands – remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and stranger to the covenants of promise…(Ephesians 2:11-12 NASB)
Humanity likes to divide itself into little subgroups. In general we tend to see one another according to skin color, ethnic heritage, language, age, sex, religious denomination, or anything else that might distinguish us. On the other hand, most of us, while liking to be distinct from one another also want to associate with others of similarity. So the rich find commonality with the rich, neighborhoods of ethnic similarity are established in cities, friendships are made with people of the same occupation, etc. Even in our churches there are those disdainful little clubs we know as cliques. Having a commonality with others is not the error. The wrong is that many cliques exist to the exclusion of others.
It has been said as a commentary on the eating habits of most men, that there are only two basic food groups…salt and meat. Our text would tell us that the world’s people are divided into only two basic groups: The “Uncircumcision” or the “Circumcision’. Birth has determined which group you fall into. Grace offers which group you shall live in. It is not skin color, ethnicity, occupation, sex, age, or any other determinant that distinguishes these two groups of people. The dividing factor is found in the word “covenant”.
Circumcision was instituted by God with Abraham as an act of faith of the covenant relationship the Lord offered to the Hebrews. As He would point out on occasion, there was nothing special about them nor did they have some redeeming quality that God choose the Hebrew people. Solely by His grace were they brought into covenant with God, out of whom He would bring the Messiah of all people.
God’s desire and His design have always been to bring humanity back into one again. What He intentionally began with the confusion He brought upon the people at the Tower of Babel, He has sought to restore as one, except now the people of one would be united not under the authority of their own rebellious will, but under the lordship of His Son.
We are asked to do something this morning as we enter into the second day of Holy Week of His Passion. We are to remember that we were at one time separate from Christ. There is wisdom to take a few moments today to recall your life without Christ. Would you do so please, for tomorrow we’re going to look at this in more detail?
