Ephesians 2:11-22 Holy Ground

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, ... remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,  in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

To the first century Jew, any gentile was considered "unclean". Even the gentile converts to Judaism were excluded from the inner court of the temple. They could only go as far as the wall separating the inner and outer courts. Beyond that, only true Jews could enter.

This barrier symbolically represents the division between Jewish and gentile believers in Christ. Jews typically believe in a strict adherence to the Torah, or law of Moses. Paul teaches that this division, the enmity between Jewish and gentile believers has been abolished. The wall between Jewish and gentile believers is the Law of Moses, made exclusively with the Jews.

Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." [Matthew 5:17 NASB]. Because He fulfilled the Law, believers no longer have to try to live according to its precepts. Jesus fulfilled the law for us, so that we don't have to. Instead, we receive His grace, and live in His righteousness. We are no longer under Law, but under grace. When He fulfilled the law, he ushered in the New Covenant which is made with both gentiles and Jews, so there is no division in His eyes.

Any person who confesses the Lord Jesus is now a citizen in the kingdom of Heaven. "You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household."

We are told in 1 Corinthians 6:16, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" Individually, I am a temple of God. His Spirit lives in me, and I am holy in His sight.

But in Ephesians 2:21 we are given a grander image. The church, that is the entire body of believers in Jesus Christ, form a temple of God. The Holy Spirit in me is also in you.

Jesus said, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” [Matthew 18:20 NASB]. You as an individual are holy. But when believers gather together, the place where they stand becomes holy ground.

As much as I value my quiet time in worship, there is something profound about joining with like-minded believers in corporate worship. Sometimes I can almost feel the wind of His passage. I feel like, if I open my eyes, I will see the light of His glory shining in our midst. And I know that my spirit is in the holy of holies in the presence of my God.

The church - the body of believers - is a holy temple of God. Therefore, let us treat one another as a precious object from God's temple. Treat each other with love, respect, reverence, and yes, even awe. 

When you look at a believer in Christ, you are looking at someone who holy.