“Of our Old Life and the “New” Ephesians 2:11-13 Once far from God… One with God through Christ… Imagine all the obstacles a person might have to overcome if he were to walk from New York City to San Francisco. One man who accomplished this rare achievement mentioned a rather surprising difficulty when asked to tell of his biggest hurdle. He said that the toughest part of the trip wasnt traversing the steep slopes of the mountains or crossing hot, dry, barren stretches of desert. Instead, he said, The thing that came the closest to defeating me was the sand in my shoes. Our Daily Bread. What sins from your past seem to be irritants(sand) in your daily walk? Let’s look at the amazing transformation offered in Christ who died to bring to all who will follow Him… Once far from God… Ephes. 2:11-13 (NIV) Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called uncircumcised by those who call themselves the circumcision (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- [12] remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Many look back from making a decision for Christ and see themselves losing too much to continue or more properly said start a walk. What is it that they are really losing? Paul writes this letter to Ephesians, people who were not Jewish by birth, just like most here today. Historically we were separate from ‘the circumcision’ God’s chosen people. God has brought all who will call upon Jesus as LORD together with no separation for those who believe. Ephes. 2:14 (NIV) For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, Individually we were separated because God deals individually with each of us, whether Gentile or Jewish. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, Philip. 2:10 (NIV) Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 1 Cor. 10:32 (KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephes. 2:10 (KJV) So, we see that all who are apart from Christ are separated historically and individually from Christ Jesus. But God’s great desire was towards all who would believe. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 You see God is a “barrier buster”. God removed the barrier of the elite Jewish nation and religion, so that all could have access. Are we being a barrier to others because of religion, telling them that there is no “hope” for them because of their current lifestyle and situation? “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). [12] remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. Once we were separated from Christ. Once we were excluded. Once we had no promise. Once we were without hope. Once we were without God. Do you take your “new life” realities for granted?
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:14:00 +0000
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