and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
In the same way that Jesus said that if we say to our brother “raca” which loosely translated means ‘jerk’ we are guilty of hatred which is in line with murder. Whoa that is a bit extreme. Indeed it is but these are the fundamental steps of the same ladder. The point being that if two individuals are not in agreement then they are on course toward actual hostility. It may be undercover, it may not be fully developed but the seeds of hostility are there. When the proverbial cup is shaken it will be proved out. A good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit. This is why it is so important to walk in a manner that is worthy of the calling we have received in that we are to live at peace with all as far as it is within our power to do so. Eph. 4:1, Ro. 12:18. Being reconciled to our fellow man, not having any misgivings under the surface in our relationships, not harboring resentments, not taking the opportunity to clear the air when we perceive that someone has aught against us, or not allowing the sun to go down on our wrath are some of the tools we need to begin to walk in unity with the people in our lives. To keep ourselves off of the first rung of the ladder of hostility in the first place. Then unity in the body will truly become our higher value. Which will fulfill the verse that states:
Psalm 133:1
1How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
application
I will be careful to guard my heart against resentment and to live at peace with all I connect with today.
for further insight into this verse see my wife Margaret's blog here:
http://mrsd4him.blogspot.com/2014/06/ephesians-216.html
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