‘But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ’s death’. – Ephesians 2.13
The dynamic of the verse describes how we have been moved by an external force. The result is simple and clear. God wants us to be certain we are his.
Unless you are Jewish, bibilically we are Gentiles. Our historic genealogy is not an ideal start point! The previous verses in Ephesian 2 describe our position as Gentiles;
- Separate from God.
- Not part of Jewish Old Testament history and the covenants God made to the Jewish race
- Outside of God’s kingdom. Excluded from citizenship.
- Dead
What the Bible describes, our cultural view doesn’t recognise. At this moment, the world’s perspective is that we are very much alive, aspiring to “live our best life” – predominantly in our own interest? “you only live once” etc. We have written own narrative, however the Bible is very realistic;
‘In the past you were dead….because of the things you did against God’ (Ephesians 2:1) Outside of God, we are the walking dead.
‘But now’…
Suddenly, out of his great love God intervenes;
;You who were far away from God have been brought near through the blood of Christ’s death.’
Jesus has “brought you near”. You have done nothing. It is not the result of your efforts. You have been ‘spiritually’ relocated by Jesus.
Our circumstances are completely flipped, the contrast couldn’t be greater.
Knowing where we came from helps our blinded eyes to see the colossal magnitude of what Jesus has done. To understand reality
Brought near is not a ‘one time’ event (i.e. the moment of salvation) but a continual present.
The implications are very significant;
Every day we are not required to ‘somehow’ climb up to God. In Jesus we have already been brought near, very near. Closer than you can imagine. He is always there. You are never alone. His breath is in you, even in our most secret places. In Jesus there is no condemnation, not ever, at any time, never, not even once (Romans 8:1).
Reflect
God wants us to be certain we are his (bible removes the doubt)
“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of
God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” Ephesians 2:19
You will always be near to God. Incredibly near.
God’s special guarantee is the seal of the Holy Spirit. ‘In Christ, God put his special mark of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit’ (Ephesian1.13)
This seal is the mark of God’s ownership. We are branded, preserved, protected. A spiritual tattoo?
We really are His.
