Tearing Down the Dividing Wall

Grandfathers info: Circa 1941-1943, “Again being in the right spot at the right time. The first 11 black employees hired by the company were put in our department on my shift. They hired 10 women plus a man by the name of King as an assistant foreman under me. It was a very touchy situation and thanks to Mt. King I muddled through. Mr. King had a BA degree and had sold life insurance before starting with the company. Before WW II was over the company hired many blacks but none rose to the more skilled and higher paying jobs. I do not remember the company pay scale but the top of the line skilled mechanics probably made $1.00 per hour.

Let me inject something I have never forgotten. One night one of my black women employees asked permission to see me. I do not remember the problem in detail but it involved her daughter and being black. After we had talked and I gave her a couple of ideas she thanked me and then in a very polite way said , “You will never know what it is like from the day you are born till the day you die to wear black skin.” I have never forgotten that remark and because of the many black employees under me I found that I could put on black skin and see there problems but I will be the first to tell the world that when the black skin gets tight and starts to pinch I can take it off which is more than my black friends can do.

Years later a situation developed that proved to me I had not lost the value of the lady’s statement. When I was active in politics in the 1960’s the position of Postmaster for La Mesa opened. At the time I was on the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee. Harry Wiley who lived in La Mesa was after the position. One of the things he needed was a favorable vote of the County Central Committee. I felt Harry was qualified and deserved the position so I agreed to support him. He was appointed Postmaster and later told me as he canvassed the Central Committee members for their support the minute he told one of the black members I supported him they would say, “If Francis Smith is for you, that is enough for me.” So he said, “I always made sure they knew it.” I was and am proud of the trust they put in me.

From Journal entry July 28 and 30, 2018

, "For he is our peace, who made both groups onej and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, 15 he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might createk in himself onel new man from the two, resulting in peace. 16 He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one bodym through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.A 17 He came and proclaimed the good newsn of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.o 18 For through him we both have accessp in one spirit to the Father.q 19 So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,r with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building, being put together,s grows into a holy temple in the Lord.t 22 In him you are also being built togetheru for God’s dwellingv in the Spirit."

Bible Study Notes, "God has torn down the dividing wall of hostility and removed the hatred forever."

Paul is discussing the issue here of Gentiles and Jews and that if they are both believers in Christ and they have asked for Him into their life there is no more seperation between them. There was hatred that exsisted between these two groups and the Jews could not fathom Gentiles being on the same level as them, even if they gave their life to Jesus. There was the issues (in their mind) of circumcistion, what was eaten, and the simple but not changable what group you were born into. What drove a large part of this at the time was the laws of man and the opinions of individuals that continued to grow the hatred between each other.

When reading my grandfathers history that he put together he discusses a conversation that he had with a black women that was part of about 11 or 12 black workers that were new to the plant. My grandfather as a lead ensured to listen to the employees and try to help where he could. There was one occasion that one of these women were having some issues and my grandfather heard her cause/problem. At the end of teh conversation she made a profound statement that my grandfather would never know what it is like to live in the skin of a black person their whole life. (There is more to this in the family papers chapter 4).

Paul is discussing the issue here of Gentiles and Jews and that if they are both believers in Christ and they have asked for Him into their life there is no more separation between them. There was hatred that existed between these two groups and the Jews could not fathom Gentiles being on the same level as them, even if they gave their life to Jesus. There was the issues (in their mind) of circumcision, what was eaten, and the simple but not changeable what group you were born into. What drove a large part of this at the time was the laws of man and the opinions of individuals that continued to grow the hatred between each other.

My grandfather took this to heart and tried to live his life with not having those walls of hatred exisiting in what he did. He continued to talk about that in his writtings and how though he would try to help where he could he realized his help was not the same as having to actually walk through it.

When reading my grandfathers history that he put together he discusses a conversation that he had with a black women that was part of about 11 or 12 black workers that were new to the plant. My grandfather as a lead ensured to listen to the employees and try to help where he could. There was one occasion that one of these women were having some issues and my grandfather heard her cause/problem. At the end of the conversation she made a profound statement that my grandfather would never know what it is like to live in the skin of a black person their whole life. (There is more to this in the family papers chapter 4).

Today we have so much hatred that is filling the world. It seems each generation and most individuals want to be different. We want to stand out, be it through clothes, actions, words, tattoos, piercings, hair color, and many other ways. We each are looking for ways that we do not conform to the next, while at the same time hoping that we are accepted by the other.

My grandfather took this to heart and tried to live his life with not having those walls of hatred existing in what he did. He continued to talk about that in his writings and how though he would try to help where he could he realized his help was not the same as having to actually walk through it.

Within these differences there are some things that truly do show distinctions between us and it is there where the devil is using these differences to drive hate and disdain. It is from being male or female, color of our skin, the place on earth that we come from, the accents that we have, the way we worship (even within Christian Churches), and in many cases the quality of the materials that we have/ can afford.

With these examples there are many that the enemy is using to drive individuals to want to be different and not to recognize who God made them. Within that there is differences that are healthy and we need to recognize those as Gods creations and there are some differences that are morphed by the devils twists of truth and we need to be cautious in not being trapped in the hatred and fight it with love. What I mean by healthy vs not is that we are all gifted differently for His Kingdom and it is in those differences that we are able to do what we are called to. We see this in v21, "In Him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

Today we have so much hatred that is filling the world. It seems each generation and most individuals want to be different. We want to stand out, be it through clothes, actions, words, tattoos, piercings, hair color, and many other ways. We each are looking for ways that we do not conform to the next, while at the same time hoping that we are accepted by the other.

When I look at what is happening in the world today and those areas I mentioned I see hate seeping out like a flooding river. These flooding rivers have the ability to destroy so much. They have power that is not seen as the currents underneath can cause damage in seconds. Just looking at what water can do to a car, "Water weighs 62.4 pounds per cubic foot. When a vehicle stalls in water, the water's momentum is transferred to the car. For each foot the water rises, 500 pounds of lateral force is applied to the car. For each foot the water rises up the side of the car, the car displaces 1,500 pounds of water. In effect, the car weighs 1,500 pounds less for each foot the water rises. Most vehicles will float in just 2 feet of water."

Within these differences there are some things that truly do show distinctions between us and it is there where the devil is using these differences to drive hate and disdain. It is from being male or female, color of our skin, the place on earth that we come from, the accents that we have, the way we worship (even within Christian Churches), and in many cases the quality of the materials that we have/ can afford.

Some of these areas that I see this hatred flooding is in the differences between man and women. Some of it is legitmate and we need to stand together to create equality in how one is treated or paid, but God did create us different to accomplish different things. But within this man and women there is this hatred that is being formed because the enemy is using lies to keep sexual immorality alive. Within this hatred is those that feel if they are a female that they have to believe all that females say true or not and the same is for the males. This hatred is causing a chasim between the love we are to have for each other.

With these examples there are many that the enemy is using to drive individuals to want to be different and not to recognize who God made them. Within that there is differences that are healthy and we need to recognize those as Gods creations and there are some differences that are morphed by the devils twists of truth and we need to be cautious in not being trapped in the hatred and fight it with love. What I mean by healthy vs not is that we are all gifted differently for His Kingdom and it is in those differences that we are able to do what we are called to. We see this in v21, "In Him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

We see this in the hate that is being kept alive by the color of skin. The devil is using this difference and is ensuring that when these differences are discussed it is not in love but hate which is turning families against each other for no reason. This is seen in each of the examples above.

When I read this chapter in see that there is hope that exists in Jesus. He has given His life to break down this wall of hatred and to show the word love. This dividing wall of hostility was torn down, but through the generations we have allowed this giant to be recreatred. We have allowed the laws of the land and the opinions of generations before us to restablish something that is not meant to be there. Those that read the Bible know that wall will be destoyed for good in the future, but we also know that we have a job now in breaking through it.

When I look at what is happening in the world today and those areas I mentioned I see hate seeping out like a flooding river. These flooding rivers have the ability to destroy so much. They have power that is not seen as the currents underneath can cause damage in seconds. Just looking at what water can do to a car, "Water weighs 62.4 pounds per cubic foot. When a vehicle stalls in water, the water's momentum is transferred to the car. For each foot the water rises, 500 pounds of lateral force is applied to the car. For each foot the water rises up the side of the car, the car displaces 1,500 pounds of water. In effect, the car weighs 1,500 pounds less for each foot the water rises. Most vehicles will float in just 2 feet of water."

We have been called to be the light amongst the darkness and there is plenty of darkness around us right now. We need to stand as God has called us to and show this love and light amongst the hate that is gorwing. We may not agree with all of it, and we are not called to conform to it. Some of these differences are meant to be there and we truly should accept these with the Love of God. Those that are not meant to be there we need to show them the Love of God so that they remove those differences of hate and help destroy the enemy with Jesus becoming their Savior.

Some of these areas that I see this hatred flooding is in the differences between man and women. Some of it is legitimate and we need to stand together to create equality in how one is treated or paid, but God did create us different to accomplish different things. But within this man and women there is this hatred that is being formed because the enemy is using lies to keep sexual immorality alive. Within this hatred is those that feel if they are a female that they have to believe all that females say true or not and the same is for the males. This hatred is causing a chasm between the love we are to have for each other.

We see this in the hate that is being kept alive by the color of skin. The devil is using this difference and is ensuring that when these differences are discussed it is not in love but hate which is turning families against each other for no reason. This is seen in each of the examples above.

Chapter 4 has more to add to this.

When I read this chapter in see that there is hope that exists in Jesus. He has given His life to break down this wall of hatred and to show the word love. This dividing wall of hostility was torn down, but through the generations we have allowed this giant to be recreated. We have allowed the laws of the land and the opinions of generations before us to reestablish something that is not meant to be there. Those that read the Bible know that wall will be destroyed for good in the future, but we also know that we have a job now in breaking through it.

I know that this entry is all over the place, but I know that this is something that God has been showing me since I read my grandfathers entry and it seems today that it was shown to me in His Word. This will become a Sunday School Class for sure.

We have been called to be the light amongst the darkness and there is plenty of darkness around us right now. We need to stand as God has called us to and show this love and light amongst the hate that is growing. We may not agree with all of it, and we are not called to conform to it. Some of these differences are meant to be there and we truly should accept these with the Love of God. Those that are not meant to be there we need to show them the Love of God so that they remove those differences of hate and help destroy the enemy with Jesus becoming their Savior.

Today's knowledge is tied back to July 28, 2018.

, " The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promiseaa in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

CSBStudy Notes for 3:6, "Coheirs shows that believers in Christ are co-inheritors of God’s kingdom. It also characterizes the new community of believers with Christ as head. That the Gentiles would have equal footing with God’s covenant people was a new aspect of God’s revelation."

, ".....live worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humilityav and gentleness, with patience,aw bearingax with one another in love,ay 3 making every effort to keep the unityaz of the Spiritba through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spiritbb—just as you were called to one hopeA,a at your calling—5 one Lord,b one faith,c one baptism, 6 one Godd and Fathere of all, who is above all and through all and in all."

Thank you God, Amen.

, ".....live worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humilityav and gentleness, with patience,aw bearingax with one another in love,ay 3 making every effort to keep the unityaz of the Spiritba through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spiritbb—just as you were called to one hopeA,a at your calling—5 one Lord,b one faith,c one baptism, 6 one Godd and Fathere of all, who is above all and through all and in all."

, "Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their thoughts. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and becauseE of the hardness of their hearts. 19 They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurityt with a desire for more and more."

, " Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kindai and compassionateaj to one another, forgivingak one another, just as God also forgave youN in Christ."

Reading today I saw some of the same theme carried through from what was being shown to me on the 28th. From a letter or Book perspective this makes sense due to it is still the same letter that was written by Paul.

What I am seeing is that we are to have compassion for others, but it also demonstrates that we are to have love for others but this love is to be in truth. There are many today who are mixing up and not understanding this love piece. They believe by saying they love someone or to love someone means to have full tolerance for what they say or do. Within this they also are the same individuals who get upset and angry if you do not go along with what they say or believe. The issue with this is two fold.

The first is that if you are truly a follower of Christ there is only so much tolerance that we are allowed to accept before we will be led by the Holy Spirit to have some level of righteous anger. This could come in many forms which could be confronting the individual in tones or words not likes, it could be disrupting the individual in what they may be doing, it could be separating yourself from the person or situation to protect yourself, and many other things. Within our response we are to be sharing the truth of Christ and why we are responding the way that we are. If you are speaking with the leading of the Holy Spirit and with the Words of God then you are leading with love.

The second part to this is that many today do not understand what love is because they do not have a relationship with God. Even those of us that are saved and have continued to mature in our growth struggle with this. Many times in my walk has love taken a back seat because I have allowed anger, disgust distrust, ignorance, and many other forms of the enemy to take over. So if us, who are to be walking in Gods love and showing that light struggle with it, how much more difficult is it for those that do not have a relationship with God to do this.

This is where we are to come in and display this love. There is so much hate that is existing today and the truth of the matter is that there is only one that we should have hatred towards and that is the enemy, the devil. All others are hardened by the enemy and his ways. They have been deceived in his lies just as we have been in many things in our life’s.

I understand that Paul is talking about those that are the body of believers and those that are not. Within this he is saying that we are to be accepting of those that are believers and recognize that we are all in different places in our walk and that each of us deal with different things. Within this for me is that before one became a believer they were living as an unbeliever. This meant that more than likely there was someone that should truth and love to help them see the light. Are we doing the same today or are we being deceived by the enemy and falling into the ignorance of hate that is at large today.

One of the things that I have been drawing from several books is that there is power in prayer that is tied with the Words of the Bible. If we are using Gods Word to seek His answers then it would seem that we are aligned with Him. I see v31-32 as a prayer. Along with this I am adding that we (I) receive the eyes of the Lord to live to this standard.

Lord, Let me (us) see what You see and let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from me (us), along with all malice. Allow me (us) to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as You (God) also forgave me (us) in Christ Jesus. Please take away my ignorance of what I struggle with and allow me to share truth and love with others in Your Holy Name above all names, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Tearing Down the Dividing Wall

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