DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION: Ephesians 2:1-22 (Good News Translation) God’s Word: Renewing Us in Faith Introduction Ephesians 2:1-22: Paul says that once we were spiritually dead because of sin, but God’s abundant mercy and love brings us to new life in Christ. He says that Christ breaks down the walls that separate Jews and Gentiles, and that all who believe in Jesus are united in one body. Todays Scripture: Ephesians 2:5b It is by God’s grace that you have been saved. Todays Reading 1 In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins. 2 At that time you followed the worlds evil way; you obeyed the ruler of the spiritual powers in space, the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God. 3 Actually all of us were like them and lived according to our natural desires, doing whatever suited the wishes of our own bodies and minds. In our natural condition we, like everyone else, were destined to suffer Gods anger. 4 But Gods mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, 5 that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ. It is by Gods grace that you have been saved. 6 In our union with Christ Jesus he raised us up with him to rule with him in the heavenly world. 7 He did this to demonstrate for all time to come the extraordinary greatness of his grace in the love he showed us in Christ Jesus. 8-9 For it is by Gods grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but Gods gift, so that no one can boast about it. 10 God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do. 11 You Gentiles by birth—called “the uncircumcised” by the Jews, who call themselves the circumcised (which refers to what men do to their bodies)—remember what you were in the past. 12 At that time you were apart from Christ. You were foreigners and did not belong to Gods chosen people. You had no part in the covenants, which were based on Gods promises to his people, and you lived in this world without hope and without God. 13 But now, in union with Christ Jesus you, who used to be far away, have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For Christ himself has brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people. With his own body he broke down the wall that separated them and kept them enemies. 15 He abolished the Jewish Law with its commandments and rules, in order to create out of the two races one new people in union with himself, in this way making peace. 16 By his death on the cross Christ destroyed their enmity; by means of the cross he united both races into one body and brought them back to God. 17 So Christ came and preached the Good News of peace to all—to you Gentiles, who were far away from God, and to the Jews, who were near to him. 18 It is through Christ that all of us, Jews and Gentiles, are able to come in the one Spirit into the presence of the Father. 19 So then, you Gentiles are not foreigners or strangers any longer; you are now citizens together with Gods people and members of the family of God. 20 You, too, are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus himself. 21 He is the one who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to the Lord. 22 In union with him you too are being built together with all the others into a place where God lives through his Spirit. Reflect Reread verses 4-10. In your own words, describe what Paul teaches about God’s grace. Reread verses 14-19. Some Jews interpreted the Law of Moses to mean that they should have no contact with Gentiles. How does Paul’s message contradict that belief? Who belongs to God’s family, according to Paul? How does someone become a part of God’s family? In what ways does your community of faith invite people to become part of God’s family? Pray Sovereign God, thank you for the ways in which you transcend our differences. Be present amid communities in conflict, that peace and reconciliation may replace turmoil and strife. Amen. Prayer Concern Communities engaged in interfaith dialogue
Posted on: Mon, 26 May 2014 21:14:04 +0000