Ephesians 2 Devotional

From Far Away to Home

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”Ephesians 2:13 (BSB)

Paul begins Ephesians 2 with a hard diagnosis. Before Christ, his readers were dead in their sins, following the ways of the world and the evil one, and by nature under God's wrath (2:1-3). Dead people do not help with their own rescue. Then comes the turn. God, because of his great love and rich mercy, made them alive with Christ (2:4-5). Salvation is his gift, received through faith and not earned by works, so that no one can boast (2:8-9).

The second half of the chapter shows what that grace does between people. Gentiles who were once far from God and strangers to his promises have been brought near through the blood of Christ (2:13). Jesus has torn down the wall of hostility and made Jew and Gentile one new people, with the same access to the Father (2:14-18). Grace that brings you near to God also brings you near to his other children. No one in his household is there by merit, so no one there is a stranger.

To think about: Who in God's family do you tend to keep at a distance, and how does knowing you were brought near by grace change that?