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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcoming the Unwelcome

-
  Scripture: Luke 7:36-38 (NIV) 36  When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37  A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38  As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them. Devotion:             First of all, some warnings to my readers. This post will exceed the 500 words I try to limit my posts. Second, this post will contain content people may find offensive or otherwise unfit for print. Please understand that my purpose is neither to offend nor upset but to provoke thought and, hopefully, respectful dialog.             We will use Luke chapt...
Read more

The Hatred of the World

-
Scripture: John 15:18-20 (ESV) 18  “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20  Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. Devotion:             This scripture is compelling. It explains what happened to Jesus and His disciples some 2,000 years ago. The message of God is rarely welcome news for the world. It calls out many of the culture's favorite practices for what they are: sin. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, humankind has been adamant about trying to hide or excuse their sin. Sin causes a barrier between humans and God that humanity cannot overcom...
Read more

Reflecting on Reformation Day

-
  On October 31st, millions of Christians around the world celebrate Reformation Day, a commemoration of a pivotal moment in church history. It marks the day in 1517 when Martin Luther, a German monk and scholar, nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. This act, challenging the practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church, ignited what we now know as the Protestant Reformation. The Courage to Stand for Truth Reformation Day calls us to reflect on the courage it takes to stand for truth. Martin Luther faced immense opposition and risked his life to speak against the corruption and abuses he saw within the church. His conviction was rooted in a deep understanding of scripture and a sincere desire to return to the teachings of Christ. As we remember Luther's bravery, let us examine our own lives. Are we willing to stand firm in our beliefs, even when it is difficult? Do we seek truth in God's word and let it guide our actions? Script...
Read more