Quick Note – Ephesians 2:11-13 – God’s Abundant Grace
Ephesians 2:11-13 – 11 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— 12 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. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Being that I was born in the United States, I do not know what it feels like to finally receive my citizenship. My citizenship was given to me by birth. For that reason, it is easy for me to take it for granted. But I have heard that the feeling is incredible, for those who immigrated to this country for freedom and opportunity. Those who earned their citizenship over time seem to have a stronger sense of duty, of patriotism, and of love for their country.
Interestingly though, being that I am a Gentile and not a Jew, I do know what it feels like though to be accepted into a group that I never belonged to at first. The Jews were the chosen people of God; they were selected because of the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – the Patriarchs. They were given the covenant of circumcision to show that they had that special relationship with God. It was a covenant that we as Gentiles were exempted from. However, when Christ came to this earth and died for our sins, He eliminated that separation. By paying for our sins with His blood, He unified us and brought us into His family as well, allowing us to also be considered the people of God. We were no longer aliens, strangers, those with no hope, but we could be His children. He broke down the wall of hostility that existed and unified us all in our need for His salvation through faith.
Ephesians 2 is such a beautiful chapter in the Bible, because it reminds us that every thing we received from God is by His grace. Salvation was given to us by grace when we were still living in the passions of our flesh and deserving of His wrath (vs. 4, 8). We were given the opportunity to be part of His family and no longer alienated from the people of God when we had no hope (vs. 12-13). We were given access to Him through His Spirit, restoring a broken relationship caused by our sin (vs.18). We were even built into His Temple and given the chance to bring honor and glory to Him (vs. 19-22). And this chapter only addresses a few of the benefits given by His grace. There is still His love, His mercy, our Heavenly inheritance, and so much more.
We should be grateful to God, because He gave us everything though we did not deserve it. We should be grateful to God for allowing us to be a part of His family. Let us show appreciation and praise for His glory and grace, for we who were not His people are now His children in Christ.
becomingadisciple 
Leave a comment