Ethnic hatred has been dissolved by the crucifixion of [Jesus’] precious body on the cross. Ephesians 2:15 TPT
By dying as our sacrifice, Jesus has broken down every wall of prejudice that separated us (Eph. 2:14b) and has brought us back together as one family.
There is an allegorical picture of this in the book of Acts. The 3 major conversions in Acts represent the 3 sons of Noah who repopulated the world after the flood. The Ethiopian dignitary in chapter 8 represents Noah’s son Ham. The conversion of Saul into the Apostle Paul (chapter 9) is, of course, the royal line of Shem. And Cornelius, the centurion (chapter 10), represents the family of Japheth.
Each of these men were already believers in the One True God. The Ethiopian had travel to Jerusalem, which was difficult and dangerous, to attend the feast. And he was studying the scripture in his chariot which gave Phillip an opening to explain Jesus. No one doubts that Saul was zealous for God. And Cornelius was “a devout man of extraordinary character who worshiped God” (Acts 10:2). Yet even though they all worshiped and served the One True God, they were divided. Each ethnic group would not mix with the other. God had to convince Peter with a trance, a vision and a direct instruction to even associate with Cornelius.
These three believers not only represented Noah’s whole family, they also represented every people group on the face of the earth. And they represented God’s family. God’s plan is to break down every wall of prejudice that separates us (Eph 2:15). God is forming ONE new race of humanity . . . in Christ Jesus. We truly ARE brothers and sisters . . . in Christ. Through His crucifixion, hatred died (Eph. 2:16b TPT).
Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we have been restored to God and reconciled to each other in the body of Christ. Unity is mandatory for us to function as the body of Christ.
Instead of imitating the opinions and prejudices of the culture around us, we need to be transformed by the Holy Spirit renewing our minds. Our new life as Christ’s body requires that we work together in unity. “For though we are many, we’ve all been mingled into one body in Christ. This means that we are all vitally joined to one another, with each contributing to the others” (Rom. 12:5). We cannot flourish or even function effectively, unless we have unity.
Jesus has reconciled us into one family. If we distance ourselves from Christian brothers and sisters because of the color of their skin or their country of origin, then we have missed the family mandate. The family mandate is unity.