15 Mar Recap | Ephesians | Ephesians 2:11-22
Belonging is rooting for something, while at the same time, excluding something else. This plays out in society today with an “us and them” attitude that even carries into our Christian lives; we believe we have the ability to decide who and what is included or excluded from our world.
In Ephesians 2, Paul distinguishes Gentiles from Jews in that Gentiles must remember what they never had. Gentiles must recognize—much like we must recognize today— the separation, alienation, desperation, and desolation that lies in the past in order to understand the unlimited blessing there is in Jesus Christ. We must also note that, like the Jews, our self-righteousness serves as a barrier to experiencing God’s embrace. Thankfully, due to Jesus’ death on the cross, the “wall of hostility” has been destroyed and everyone in Christ—both Jew and Gentile—has complete access to God.
Suggestions for Studying Ephesians During the Series:
1. Read daily passages along with NLT or ESV study Bible.
2. Read the whole book in one sitting once a week for the remainder of the series.
3. Listen to the whole book in one sitting once a week for the remainder of the series.
Click here to read or listen to the book of Ephesians.
Scripture References
Ephesians 2:11-22
-Since God removed the distinction between Jew and Gentile through the work of Jesus on the cross, it means every other distinction, all lesser distinctions, is also done away with. On which basis am I tempted to feel superior to or view anyone with a sense of exclusivity? race, ethnicity, political stance, nationality, socio-economic, ….
-My sin will not keep me from a relationship with God. Jesus already dealt with sin. In what righteousness or good works of my own am I trusting rather than the true righteousness that only God can give?
Thoughts to Consider
-We need to remember our exclusion, and the legitimate basis of it in order to value the fact that it’s not by our own power that we enter the kingdom of heaven; It is all the work of Jesus that is the basis for our inclusion.
-On the cross Jesus removed the wall of hostility and obliterated any obstacle for any person anywhere to enter into His presence.
-We cannot be a “we” church as long as we are “us and them” people. We are all sinners in need of Jesus.
“In order to understand our blessing, we have to own our identity apart from the One who blesses us.”
“Through the sacrifice of Christ, our alienation from God has been dealt with.”
“Forgiveness is only available to those who believe they are sinners.”
“There is no room for ‘us and them’ people in the kingdom. Only ‘we’ people.”
“Those who were far and those who were near have both been reconciled to God.”
“In Christ, there is no longer any distinction between people. We are all one. “
“The main thing between you and God is not so much your sins; it’s your damnable good works. ”-John Gerstner