<p>2:16 <i>And might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, thereby having slain the enmity</i>- The enmity between God and man has been dealt with in Christ, and this means that likewise the natural enmity between persons has likewise been ended for all those in Christ. Reconciliation with our separated brethren therefore can be achieved; because potentially the enmity is slain, we are already reconciled in one body by the cross. It&rsquo;s for us to live this out in practice. We can move away from the tribal, jungle mentality that &lsquo;my enemy&rsquo;s friend is my enemy&rsquo;- if we see and believe how God loves them too as His dear children. The Lord Jesus reconciled all true believers unto God &quot;in one body by the cross&quot;. All who are reconciled by the Lord's sacrifice are therefore in the one body, and therefore we have a duty to fellowship with others in the one body. If we refuse to do this, we in some way attempt to nullify the aim of the cross. He died in the way that He did in order that the love which He had showed might be manifested between us (Jn. 17:26). To break apart the body is to undo the work of the cross.</p>