Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals
Monday June 29 2026
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John 10:16-And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Recently, a gentleman that I was studying the Word of God with described to me why he has a hard time being affiliated with any churches in our time and area.
Mike (not his real name): Brother Mark, I just don’t know if I can make myself start attending church again.
Mark: Why is that brother?
Mike: Well, the racism is just too bad.
Mark: Was it a problem where you attended before we started studying?
Mike: Yes. And it is in about every church I can think of.
Mark: Rally? What kind of racism are you talking about?
Mike: Well, brother Mark, most churches are Zionist.
Mark: What do you mean by that?
Mike: They favor the Jewish people and believe that they are the favored race. It’s all racism.
(End Relevant Conversation)
Mike had a struggle with churches that exalt one ethnic group over another. Sadly, his experiences definitely relate to many real world situations that are found all over our country right now. The teachings of dispensationalism, premillennialism, and Christian Zionism have led many to the conclusion that God has two chosen bodies of people in the world today: the church, and the nation of Israel. Of course, the Apostle Paul forever refutes that notion.
Ephesians 2:14-22-For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
The words of Carver on this passage are worthy of deep consideration.
“Ephesians 2 constitutes a devastating refutation of separate programs for Israel and the Church. Space precludes a full exegesis of this chapter, but something less than that should be sufficient. These Ephesians had been “in time past Gentiles” (v. 11). The inference of this statement is that they are no longer Gentiles, but Jews. This is made plainer further on. While they “were without Christ” they were “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise” (v. 12). The meaning here is that when they accepted Christ, they became citizens of the “commonwealth of Israel” and also became recipients of the “covenants of promise.” This is so plain, I hesitate to comment on it. It means nothing less than that one becomes a Jew and an heir to the Jewish promises and covenants through accepting Christ, rather than through lineal descent or circumcision of the flesh. Paul contends that through Christ’s sacrifice (v. 13) He “hath made both one” through the breaking down of “the middle wall of partition between us” (v. 14). Is this “oneness” a temporary relationship? Is the middle wall again to be raised? Shall the work of Christ on the cross be nullified by such a restoration? God forbid! Paul adds, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity” (v. 15) between Jew and Gentile based on Old Testament distinctions, “for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.” Though the passage quoted next has no bearing on the subject under discussion, it is a most fitting statement at this point: “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19: 6). Jews and Gentiles now constitute one body, according to verse 16, because the conditions that made for two separate bodies have been “slain” through Christ’s death on the cross. As a result of this we Gentiles “are no more strangers and foreigners” (v. 19). Strangers and foreigners where and to whom? We are no longer strangers and foreigners to the commonwealth of Israel as set forth in verse 12. We Gentiles are actually Jews in the sight of God. Whatever blessings God has for the Jews, He has the same for Gentile Christians, for the distinction between Jew and Gentile has been broken down. This is the New Testament teaching. (Everett I. Carver, When Jesus Comes Again, 965-983 (Kindle Edition): Prestonsburg, KY: Reformation Publishers)
God’s work in the world of man is the true solution to every form of racism. In Christ, people are reconciled to God and to each other, by he cross of Calvary.
What are some ways that racism is seen in our culture today? What are some things that we can do as Christians to promote unity?
Lord, thanks for loving us and bringing people together in Your church. Help us to be good messengers of Your peace. Amen.