Ephesians 2:11-21

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.  And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.  In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

 

Christ has radically changed the reality and circumstances of our lives.  The things that were true of us before coming to Christ are no longer a reality.  In Christ, all things have become new.  We, who were once far from God, have become part of His family.  The accomplishments of Christ on our behalf are glorious and should inspire us to rejoice in His goodness and grace.

 

WE WERE REJECTED WITHOUT CHRIST: In the times of the Old Testament, there was a huge advantage of being a Jew.  They had the revelation of Scripture, prophets, priests, and the promises given to the patriarchs. Gentiles could be and were saved but were at a huge disadvantage.  The vast majority of the Gentile population was rejected by both God and the Jews because they were without Christ, without citizenship in Israel, without hope, and without God. This is not to say that all Jews were saved or that all Gentiles were lost.  However, all Gentiles who were without Christ were in this condition.  Jews were citizens of Israel and therefore were the objects of many promises and has instruction from God as to how to worship Him.

 

WE HAVE BEEN RECONCILED IN CHRIST: Both Jews and Gentiles were at war with God and desperately needed Christ to come and make peace between themselves and God.  Through the blood that was shed by Christ on the cross, the price for our sin was paid and the wrath of God was satisfied.  Thereby allowing all who believe to be at peace with God.  The hostility that was between God and man and between Jew and Gentile has been abolished by the blood of Christ.  We have been reconciled to God and to one another.  Christ came to make peace between God and man and between man and man.  The message that Christ preached through His words, actions, and the mission He left the Church is a message of peace.  The Jews, who were close by and the Gentiles, who were far off are both the recipients of this promise of peace.

 

WE ARE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST: The work of Christ on the cross did far more than just mediate a “cease fire.”  We have been placed into a relationship with God through Christ.  We have unlimited access to the Father through the Spirit of God that indwells us.  We have been united as one body that is reconciled with one another.  No matter our nationality, race, wealth, intelligence, gender, or status; we are untied as members of the same body in Christ.  Strangers and aliens have become citizens and saints through Christ.  We are members of the household of God together with prophets and apostles all being built up around the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are in Christ and He is in us.  We are the temple of God as His Spirit lives in us.  We are the sons and daughters of Father through the work of the Son.

 

APPLICATION: Be relieved that we are no longer at war with God and separated from Him by our sin.  Live at peace with God and with one another.  As believers, there is no place for prejudice or discrimination.  We are all members of the same body no matter who we are or where we have come from.  Delight in fact that we are members of the family of God and are inhabited by His Spirit.