Strangers to God

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-12 (ESV)

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.

Devotion:

One of the gospel's most profound transformations is that God, in his abundant grace, has united us in Christ. We, who were once distant, isolated, and without hope, have been brought close, reconciled, adopted, and given hope through God's grace and our faith in Jesus. This transformation is not just for us as individuals but also for us as a diverse community of believers from various backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and languages.

Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians, who were mostly Gentiles, of their former condition before they knew Christ. They were called "the uncircumcision" by the Jews, who prided themselves on their physical sign of the covenant with God. They were excluded from the privileges and promises that God gave to Israel, his chosen people. They had no access to God, no relationship with him, no hope of salvation, and no purpose in life.

However, God, in his abundant mercy and love, dramatically altered their circumstances. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for their sins and to dismantle the wall of hostility that kept them apart from God and his people. He integrated them into his family, his kingdom, and his church. He bestowed upon them a new identity, a new citizenship, a new inheritance. He united them with Christ and with each other.

This is not just good news for the Ephesian Christians of the past, but also for us today. Regardless of our background, culture, ethnicity, or language, we are united in Christ through our faith in him. We are part of God's family and each other. We share the same Lord, the same Spirit, the same faith, the same hope, and the same love. Our calling is not just to live in unity, peace, and harmony with our fellow believers, but it is our purpose and direction. We are to celebrate the diversity and beauty of God's grace in our lives.

Let us not forget what God has done for us in Christ. Let us rejoice in the unity that he has given us by His Spirit. Let us also lift up our prayers for the church worldwide so that it may reflect God's glory and the power of the gospel in its oneness in Christ.

Prayer:

            Lord, we are grateful for the place you have given us in your kingdom. Let us not keep this joy to ourselves, but celebrate it by inviting all we know to come to Jesus, the source of our salvation, to receive the gift of your grace and love. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we can be effective witnesses for the sake of the gospel and your kingdom. May our lives glorify Jesus and may we always be living witnesses to Jesus, our Savior and Lord forever. Amen.