Ephesians 2:11-22
New International Version
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Tuesday - February 22
Notice what Paul says. It is quite shocking if you really pay attention. Most people pass right over it. He says, “[Jesus] is our peace… [He abolished] the law of commandments… that he might create in himself one new man… and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross…” Jesus abolished the LAW. God’s Law! Why? It was used as a dividing wall between the Israelites and “gentiles.” They used the Law to try to figure out who was “IN” the kingdom of God and who was “out.” But God’s blessing does NOT come through the Law, but through Jesus Christ. This is deep, but critically important theology. What YOU DO DOES NOT determine your status before God. Your status in the kingdom and family of God is determined by what Jesus has done FOR YOU. That is the Gospel!
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