Scripture: Ephesians 2:11 – 13

I. We need to remember that we were separated from God.

A. Paul writes in vs. 11, “remember that at one time, you Gentiles in the flesh”, you were at that time separated from Christ (vs. 12). And if the Gentiles were separated from Jesus the Son, they were, of course, also separated from God the Father. Paul wants the Gentiles in the Ephesian church to remember how far apart they were from God before they met Christ. He wants them to remember those dark days so that they can appreciate the gift of grace they have received from God when they put their faith in the fact that Christ died for their sins on the cross.

B. Paul points out one of the key differences between Jews and Gentiles: circumcision. Circumcision was a symbol of two things for Jews. It was a symbol that the Jews had been cut free from sin. And circumcision was secondly a symbol of the fact that the Jews belonged to God. God made a covenant with Abraham, the father of all the Jews, in which he made Abraham promise that every male child among his descendants would be circumcised. By circumcision then, every Jewish man knew that he was part of the family of God.

C. Paul wants the Gentiles to remember their rejection by the Jews because they were uncircumcised, to remember their shame, in order to more fully rejoice in their acceptance by God today. Paul talks about the circumcision that really matters in Romans 2:28-29: “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.” The uncircumcised Gentiles belong to God just as much as the circumcised Jews. All of us Gentiles today should rejoice that we are accepted by God. But we should also remember our rejection by looking at the five statements Paul makes of all who are without Christ in vs. 12. 

II. We need to remember that we are now near to God.

A. Paul begins verse 13 with two wonderful words: but now. Yes, you once were in some terrible spiritual circumstances before you believed in Jesus. But now, Paul says, everything that I said in vs. 12 has been reversed. It is now the opposite. He wanted them to understand the amazing grace of God better. He wanted them and he wants us to rejoice in that grace. The Gentile world was as dark as things could possibly get when they lived without Jesus. But now? The opposite is true. Now, Paul says in 13, “you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” The identity of the Gentiles has completely changed.

B. What is it that changes our identity and makes us who we are in Christ? We find out at the end of vs. 13. We once were far off from God. But we have now been brought near by the blood of Christ. Christ’s blood brings us forgiveness. By placing our faith in the fact that Jesus died for us on the cross we are not only forgiven. We are brought near to God. All the barriers that kept us from God have been removed by the blood of Christ. Previously, we had no part in Christ because of our sin and rebellion against God. But now we are in Christ. Now, we are near to God. This is your identity.

Application:
Remember what it was like when you had no faith in Jesus. Rejoice now in being near to God!

Sources:
The letter to the Ephesians
Commentaries on Ephesians by Bryan Chapell, Peter O’Brien, and Richard Coekin