Ephesians 2

Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer

In the second half of this chapter (verses 11-22) we see a juxtaposition of before-Christ and after-Christ. After reminding the Ephesians that it was through grace they had been saved, not works, Paul goes on to remind them of their identity before Christ died for them.

"..remember that formally you who are Gentiles by birth and called 'uncircumcised'... - remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citenzenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world." (verses 11 - 12)

How scary would that have been, to know that just because you were born outside of Israel that somehow you were automatically excluded from God! I can't imagine how it would have felt to be apart from God. It really would have been hell on earth.

I've always wondered: why did God just choose the Israelites to be His chosen people and then exclude everyone else for that time? You can read the story of the Israelites. Over and over again they took God for granted and got into really bad situations because of it. They weren't exactly an ideal people!

But then you read on: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been bought near through the blood of Christ" and not only that but also "for he himself is our peace, who has made two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility".

So let's look at the big picture: Jesus came and died for our sins, but he also claimed the whole world as his chosen people in the same action. He broke down all human barriers making his love and a relationship with God through him possible to absolutely everyone, regardless of who you think you are. "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household."

Before Christ died, our identity was worldy. It was where you were born, what colour your skin is, your name, your gender, your sexuality, your personality. But now our identity is found in Jesus because when he died for us he claimed us as his own. Now two very opposite people are the same - unified in the love Jesus has for them. "His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of two, thus making peace."

My application today goes something like this: there is no point in me trying to categorise people and treat them accordingly. There is only one category. Jesus. And therefore I must treat everyone as I would myself as I know that we are all one in Jesus and any actions against someone would be against myself and ultimately against Jesus!

Phew. I must say, that was a mission to get my head around today, so sorry if it's a bit confusing!

Anyway, my prayer is for God to help me to realise the power of Jesus dying on the cross. Lord, help me to act towards others as you would because we are one and the same in You. I thank you that you came to create peace and restore relationships with You. That you are a God of creation, not destruction. Thank you for your mighty love! Amen.

[Read Ephesians 2: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202&version=NIV]

(I read this the day after I posted this response and I think it fits in. It's quite long, but worth it to read the whole way through. Let me know what you think! http://eugenecho.com/2011/03/08/supporting-women-in-ministry/)