Nådens Mission

A few years back, I visited a prayer group somewhere in Sweden. It was summer and the location had, without exaggerating, a breath taking lake view. For once it was not I who lead the group but instead I had been invited by one of the regular attendees as a participant.

Before the start of prayer, it was customary to read a chapter from Scriptures. On that day it was chapter 2 of Ephesians. After the alternative reading of the text, by the handful of members that were there, it was time for reflections and comments. After a while, when no one had said anything, I said a few words. My comment did not fall on fertile ground, in other words, not well received. What had been offensive was my use of the terms “we” and “them”.

The argument was that with today’s enormous and difficult challenges faced by our society, yes even the whole world, then we do not have the luxury to divide ourselves into camps of “us/we” and “them”. I had, naturally, referred to “we” that are saved and “them” that are lost. An embarrassing situation arose. On the one hand, I had no ambition to undermine someone else’s work in this congregation, but on the other hand, I did not want to compromise my biblical convictions.

I argued for what I call “the Christian faith’s lowest common denominator”. I had no intention to discuss baptismal rituals, spiritual gifts or women leadership in congregations, questions that have existed and still are of burning interest. But, isn’t it so that at one time “we” were like “them”? That is exactly what the text states, not once but several times. A transformation has occurred and for that we are so thankful that we praise God.

Paul writes in 1Cor. 15:3-4 that he shared with the Corinthians the most important message that constitutes the gospel; Christ died, was buried and was raised from the dead. Anyone that believes this message within themselves, i.e. He did this so that we could be saved and He gave us the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Ephesians 2:1 speaks about “we”, the believers, have been made alive. It testifies of a change, we were earlier, namely, “dead in our trespasses and sins”. In verse 2, we see how the apostle speaks about the spirit that “we” were under earlier is still active in “them”, in other words “the sons of disobedience.” Further, we see that Paul in verse 3 does a comparison and says that “we” were earlier like “them”, that is, “children of wrath”. In verses 4-7, we finally read something wonderful – how God, in His great mercy, saves us and sits us with Christ in heaven. That is our new “position” –in Him. Our life is hidden in Christ (Col. 3:3).

There is no doubt that the Bible speaks of “us and “them”. The entire Bible’s message is that “we” were like “them”. But, that is not all, “They” can be like “us” by putting their faith in the gospel – the good news is that God became a man through Jesus Christ. He died, was buried and rose from the dead. He gives eternal life to each and everyone who believes (John 3:16).

I can understand those fellow believers’ viewpoint about not dividing us into groups, but it is, nevertheless, the Bible’s clear message that there is a distinct and sharp dividing line between “them” and “us”. It’s about life and death, righteousness and sin, as well as heaven and hell. We cannot ignore this timeless message in God’s Word.

If you are reading this and know that you are in Paul’s category “we” then praise God for His grace. If you find yourself in the apostle’s other category, “them”, the Lord is ready to transform you. Don’t delay your decision to trust in Christ as your personal Savior. He never turns away those that come to Him (John 6:37).