The Way - Day 138 (Ephesians 2)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Ephesians 2:1-3
Nobody really likes to talk about their past, especially the memories which evoke feelings of guilt, pain, and sin. But in these verses Paul reminds his believing readers about their past in order reveal the extent of the salvation which he already addressed in Ephesians 1. Salvation is past (election), present (redemption and forgiveness), and future (Christ's kingdom on earth for 1,000 years). Through the death and sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, we are made alive...we are given new life in Christ. Jesus traded His righteousness for our sin and all those who by faith trust in His finished work will be made alive. Romans 6:11 reminds us that we are "dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Instead of leaving his readers with this thought, Paul asks them to remember their past. They "were dead in trespasses and sins" and "walked according to the course of this world." Yes, we are alive in God but never forget the fallenness from which you were redeemed. Being dead in sin carries the idea of being hopeless and without any resolution in sight. The Bible is very clear that all have sinned and therefore must experience the penalty for sin - death. There is no other way to satisfy the wrath of God on sin other than through death. Paul also exposes their proneness to follow the world's ways and ultimately their loyalty to the one who controls the world, the devil (2:2). It is the spirit of the devil which manipulates people into thinking that his way brings happiness when in reality it brings destruction and disappointment. Why did Paul need to make his readers think about their past? So they could truly appreciate the salvation they had found through Jesus Christ. Although our past is not something we like to remember, today take a moment to thank God for forgiving you from sin and providing the payment needed for your redemption!

Ephesians 2:4-10
After reminding his readers about the ugliness of their past characterized by sin and loyalty to the ways of the world, Paul uses the words "but God" in verse 4 to help them understand who made the difference in their life. Although their past is tainted by sin, God entered the picture and because He is "rich in mercy" and has a "great love with which He loved us," He has "made us alive together with Christ." God, through Jesus Christ, brought spiritual life to those who could not have a relationship with Him on their own merit. Believers immediately share in Christ's glory and are able to "sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." This means that believers experience a direct connection with God and personally enjoy fellowship with Him (2:6-7). God is rich in grace (undeserved favor) and desires to show kindness to those who trust in Him. The most important demonstration of His grace was through salvation, which did not have anything to do with us; however, salvation is a "gift of God." A gift is free to the one receiving because the giver has already paid the price. Jesus Christ is a free gift and He has paid the penalty for sin by giving His very life. Why did He do that? "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works." We were created for God's glory but man has forsaken the ways of God. However, God redeemed us through His grace and now changes our actions. Good works do not bring salvation, but genuine salvation always results in doing good works. Paul reminded his readers of their past, but also revealed the splendor of God's grace. As a result of experiencing God's grace they were now to spend their time doing good for others!

Ephesians 2:11-13
Continuing with the theme of remembrance, Paul wants his readers to think a little further into what they were before their miraculous salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul refers to them as "Gentiles in the flesh" which brought familiar images to the minds of people during this day. Gentiles were outcasts in society and were usually alienated by the Jews because they were not God's chosen people. This ostracizing also led to spiritual rejection and prevented them from a relationship with God. A reference is made to uncircumcision and circumcision - the uncircumcised represented Gentiles and the circumcised represented Jews. When a man was circumcised it meant he was part of God's covenant relationship with His people. The issue became a volatile issue in the early church especially when Gentiles began entering the church. So when Paul referred to his readers as Gentiles, it brought negative images to their minds. Before salvation they were like Gentiles spiritually speaking and Paul reveals three different ways that his readers were spiritually bankrupt. First, they "were without Christ" leaving them with no one to forgive and redeem them from sin. Secondly, they "were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise." This meant that they were outside of God's protection and the promise of His covenant (great nation, your own land, blessing/protection). Lastly, they had "no hope" and were "without God in the world." The Gentiles had chosen their own gods, but rejected the one, true God. However, in verse 13 Paul uses the words "but now" meaning that things are different. What is different? "In Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Regardless of nationality, those who trust in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for sin will be given a relationship with God. What a thought! We have been brought bear to God through the work of Jesus Christ!

Ephesians 2:14-18
Jesus Christ "is our peace, who made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation." In verse 11 Paul asked his readers to remember that they were once "Gentiles in the flesh" which meant they were outsiders to a relationship with God and without hope of redemption from sin. However, Jesus Christ made peace with God through His payment for sin on the cross and tore down the barrier (sin and death) which kept us from God. The Jews carefully followed a system of religious and social laws which made them very distinct from the Gentile people, but Jesus' sacrifice abolished the Jewish ceremonial law bringing equal accessibility to Jew and Gentile. In verse 15 Paul refers to this abolishment as resulting in "one new man from the two, thus making peace." Paul was making a huge "announcement" to his readership - people were no longer to be labeled Jew or Gentile, but only Christian. Romans 10:12 states that "there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him." This concept was hard for the early church to embrace. How could Jews and Gentiles now worship together after having been separated for so long? The answer is clear...Jesus reconciled "them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity." Furthermore, through Jesus "both have access by one Spirit to the Father." Paul was basically saying that there should be no division between people of distinct background, nationality, or language. When God sees a person He doesn't label them by nationality or skin color, but each one has been made one through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Racism and "people classing" should never be a part of the church. It is not up to us to choose who is worthy of salvation and who is not. John sums it up in Revelation 5:9-10 when he references what people will be saying when they are worshiping Jesus in heaven: "You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation...." I look forward to the day when everyone can look past skin color, economic background, and nationality and view a person for who they really are!
 
Ephesians 2:19-22
Paul now unveils the meaning behind bringing unity to Jews and Gentiles by saying that they "are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." All those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for sin are members of God's family. With God there is no Jew or Gentile, but all are considered sons and daughters of God. The foundation of this truth is based on inspired scripture written by the apostles and prophets as well as Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone (2:20). A cornerstone squares a building and provides the foundation for a structure and the spiritual illustration is that in Him "the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." Followers of Christ represent stones in a building and together we are the church. Paul goes on to say that this building (the church) is "being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." The Holy Spirit indwells believers to complete the work of God (2:22). It is a humbling thought to contemplate that each one of us makes up the body of Christ on earth. Each one of us must do our part in making sure that His body functions properly. The way this can be done is to be continually surrendered to God in every area of our life and consistently be aware of what God wants to do through our life. I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit of God works in conjunction with the word of God to accomplish His will in our attitudes and actions. At the moment of salvation we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, but we must fill our mind with the word of God in order to receive guidance for daily living.

Dear God, may the Holy Spirit of God do His work as I read Your word. Help me to allow them to do Your work through me!