The Triangle of Relationships

"For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father." - Ephesians 2:18 (NKJV)

Sometimes in marriage counseling or premarital counseling, I'll try to tell a couple that their greatest success will be when they have God in the center of their marriage. I describe their relationship like a triangle where God is at the top of the triangle. The husband is on one point on the side, the wife is on the other point, and a good marriage is like that triangle.

Here's what's beautiful about this picture: as both the husband and wife get closer to God at the top of that triangle, they actually get closer to each other. Many couples make the mistake of thinking their goal should be to just get close to each other. But the truth is, as we get closer to God, we automatically get closer to one another.

That's what Paul is describing in this whole passage. It's not just about individual salvation - it's about corporate reconciliation. When Jews and Gentiles both get closer to God through Jesus Christ, they get closer to each other. Their greatest allegiance is no longer to their racial or cultural background, but to God Himself.

That's true in all our relationships. Many of the tensions that exist in our world - political, racial, cultural - we don't know what to do with these differences. Our only hope is the transformation of the heart through the gospel. When people get right with God, when they give their lives to Jesus Christ, they recognize that others who have also given their lives to Jesus may come from different backgrounds, but they're brothers and sisters in Christ.

This is why Paul says we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. The same Holy Spirit that brings a Jewish person to salvation brings a Gentile to salvation. The same Spirit that convicts of sin, the same Spirit that regenerates, the same Spirit that adopts us into God's family. We all come to the Father the same way - through Jesus, by the same Spirit.

Reflection Question: How has your relationship with God affected your relationships with others, especially those who are different from you? Are you getting closer to God in a way that draws you closer to your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that through Jesus we all have access by one Spirit to You. Help me to remember that as I draw closer to You, I should naturally be drawing closer to my fellow believers. Show me where I need to let my relationship with You transform my relationships with others. Make me someone who reflects Your heart for unity among Your people. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "Jesus Brings Us Close" (Ephesians 2:11-18): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/vzn9mr6/9-jesus-brings-us-close-eph-2-11-18