Peace to You who are Far Away, Peace to You Who are Near

What we often see in the news can seem to highlight the different, the other - migrant protests, wars, racial or gender discrimination, even the way in which those in power can present different groups in society. It can be easy to make a snap judgement based on a perceived difference but in Christ we are all one and our differences, the gifts, skills and abilities that we have through the Grace of God, combine together to build a solid structure on the foundation of Christ.

Ephesians 2: 8 - 10 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God's grace is freely given and abundant, available to everyone without favour or qualification. By accepting God's grace we should share in that spirit of grace, non-judgmental, open handed and open hearted, ready to do the work that God has prepared and called us to.

Ephesians 2: 17 - 22 (NIV)

17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Accepting God's grace, sharing it through our lives and actions, brings all people together in the one Spirit of truth, all our differences, skills and abilities becoming building blocks in the holy temple of the Lord.

Many of our Ely and District CAP clients are struggling with complicated lives and the stigma of being seen as at the bottom of our society. By helping lift the weight of debt, our team hope to be able to bring some stability back into their lives, to give them space to be able to work on other issues too. And the special something else that Christians Against Poverty bring into their homes is the gift of Hope - the knowledge of the love of God in their lives and of His gift of Grace. This can help them to feel a part of a community again, to lift the burden of loneliness and rejection and know that they are a part of God's loving family.