Brought near in peace because of Christ

Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:13-16

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Ephesians 2:13-16

The knowledge of our new state and reality in Christ must be lived out by faith. This therefore means that we live it out with full confidence and assurance with what the Lord has proclaimed, through the apostle Paul. The Gentile believers are no longer in their separated and alienated state! They knew Christ [or Christ knew them], took part in God’s covenant blessings, and had hope and fellowship with God. This remarkable turnaround took place when God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, founded us in His Son. And this is the basis of our new state and reality in Him, that those who trust in Him therefore have a present salvation and a future hope.

In continuation, apostle Paul continues to expound how blessed the believers are in Ephesus, and this extends to us as well: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility (vv.13-16)”. Notice how the verses emphasizes the centrality of Jesus Christ in bringing Gentiles and Jews together, not only with one another but also with God. Christ is both our peace and our Peacemaker! His reconciling death on the cross has made the two [Jews and Gentiles] into one. Gentiles do not become Jews, but the two groups become one at a deeper level than ethnicity, forming Christ’s church. The one body is the church, the new humanity, the place of peace. At the cross, everything that caused the disunion was destroyed. The dividing wall of hostility, refers to the courts of the temple in Jerusalem, a wall that separates the Jews and Gentiles. They were prohibited and even excluded from the inner courts where all the sacrifices for sin was performed. And since Christ has offered His own body, the final sacrifice to which the temple’s sacrifices merely pointed, this fulfillment now abolishes the Jewish dogma’s (out of the ceremonial laws) that created separation, and even hatred between Jews and Gentiles, or mostly Jews over Gentiles.

Because of Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Our Lord is not just the source of peace between mankind to mankind, but also of God to mankind! He is the peace of those who believe in Him, for He Himself is the embodiment of peace! Having being found in Him now, we have taken part into a future glory that brings peace which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! This is the formality of being part of the commonwealth of God’s covenant people, where He has promised to them that He will be their God! And every gentile believer who has come into faith in Christ is what He Himself has said: “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

Remember therefore, dear saint, that it is Him who brings you to become part of His people! That it is Him who redeems you from your sinful ways, bringing you in to a new life where in with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. Keep in mind His very words, that you might be reminded of your glorious blessedness – brought near in peace because of Christ: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.”

May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.

Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!

Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!

Take heart, dear saint!

Reflect

1. Have you considered to really understand what it means to be reconciled with God and be part of His covenant people?

2. Do you continue to grow in need of His grace?

3. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?

Remember

Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!

Pray

Father in Heaven, thank You for making me one in the Lord Jesus Christ, that through Him I have received the benefit of taking part in the commonwealth of Your covenant people. Thank You, for Your limitless grace, because of it I have peace, because Christ is in me, and I in Him. May this new state and reality propel and compel me to grow in need of Your grace, and to love You as I ought to. Please continue to bless me with the knowledge of Your glory in Your Son, in whose name I pray. Amen.