Ephesians Chapter 2 -

Made Alive in Christ

 ¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

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)— ¹²remember 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.

***************************************************

A reminder: I'll be updating this individual post throughout the week rather than making a new one daily.

Day 1: Read the chapter. Journal a personal response to or summary of the chapter.

Jesus has taken down the dividing wall of hostility between all people everywhere. He has developed and proposed a method to reconcile over 6000 different people groups around the world. The old law which kept the Gentiles from living in relationship with God the Father was abolished when Christ went up on that rugged cross. Jesus consumed all judgment with his flesh. Praise Adonai!

Imagine a life that is lived in complete harmony. Everyone loves you; everyone cares enough to help you take in your groceries. Your ruler is one whom benefits all, regardless of their situation. This ruler not only has the time to hear the heart of all who come to him, he has the time to spend every moment with them individually. His people to him aren't just common citizens, they are his family. They are part of his life, - by "part", I don't mean they are simply involved, they are actually of his mind, - they are united in his perfect thoughts. All actions in this life create more life.

What life is this?

This is life in God's Kingdom.

*
*

*
*

Day 2:  Read the chapter. Identify one or two key verses, and write them out.

^{Verses 14-15: 14} For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility <sup>15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.  


Verse 19: 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household...</sup>


*
*
*
*


Day 3: Read yesterday’s key verses out loud. Journal why you chose them. Rewrite them.


Verse 14-15: these verses were the ones that most jumped out while I was reading chapter two yesterday, so naturally they were the first ones that I would choose to journal about!


Rewritten verse
There is peace available to all for the law which separated all people has been moved away through the flesh of our Lord who was placed on the cross. Because of this, it is also in him that our reconciliation is found. 


Verse 19: when I read this verse, it makes me think of the country we live in. About how our malls, buses, and stadiums, when in use, are filled with all the different shades of brown that color our skin. We live together, celebrate together, cheer together, vote together. I believe our nation is a foreshadow of the world yet to come. It is imperfect, just like everything else on the earth, but the people that make it up are still made in the image of God.




Rewritten verse
Because of this, you are welcomed in as citizens of his perfect kingdom, even as brothers and sisters in his perfect family. You no longer have to worry about how to gain the trust and favor of these people for you have been justified, your title of outsider has been replaced, forever.


*
*
*
*


Day 4: Read Day 2’s key verses out loud. Journal how they challenge you personally.

Verses 14-15: In the past, I've neglected making contact with people I've come across merely because of the cloths they were wearing or the looks they had on their face. Judging, that there is no way they would ever want to talk to someone so different from them; that they were totally content with the beliefs they held and the lives they were living. Writing them  off because there were too many people around who might have heard the conversations we might have had.


When in reality, behind the faces and attire of these people have been individuals who were struggling with their lives; trying to make sense of the religions or ideals they were raised in. People that are trapped in a life of bondage from their family or friends. Bondages preventing them from asking the questions that have been barreling around in their heads for years. Then asking themselves, "Is it even worth while? What if I get caught?" The repercussions of searching for the truth are simply too hard to bare. Brutal abuse or even excommunication are at the other end of these questions. 


There are so many of God's children who are trapped in this life mentioned above. So many people looking for a way out if they could only find one. These are the people primed to hear some good news, the Good News of Jesus Christ. Waiting for someone to sweep them out from the lives they've been stuck in; someone who could reveal to them what true life really looks like.


Verse 14 talks of a barrier being destroyed. This is speaking of the spiritual barrier that existed between the people God created, the Jews and Gentiles. Well, Jesus came and stripped that barrier away, and if this is true, there is not a single human being that me as a spirit filled believer cannot witness to. If I feel called to share the Gospel with some intimidating stranger on the bus, the Holy Spirit IS going to make a way for me to do so. He overcomes any type of difference existing between me and God's child on the other side of the bus. 


Verse 19: We are not alone in the work God has us doing for the Kingdom. There are millions of others around the world whom know and love God, and are listening to the calling he has set upon their lives. We are part of Christ's Body which is the fullness of his being. This means as God is everywhere, we as a people in Christ, are too everywhere with him. We are known in his Kingdom.


*
*
*
*


Day 5: Read the key verses again, and then the whole chapter. Journal a personal response or prayer that includes your measurable response to the passage. 


I'm going to listen to Hammock every single time I read the Bible from here on in... That might not be true, but, the boot definitely fits quite well.


Jesus, you've saved us from the wrath we all deserved being people totally dead in our transgressions. You are the way for us to be with the Father God forever. Thank you so much for laying yourself down that we might be able to participate in your Family, in your Kingdom. Thank you for making a way for us to become part of your nation Israel; the nation through whom you will bless all nations. Wow! What a privilege it is to be the vessel in which God blesses the world. Thank you for making a way for all people to know who you are. That those who are walking in darkness might see the light that is in the Father. You have placed us as a city on a hill for all to see, and we praise you for this!


As you dwell in us, allow us to be a temple with open doors. May we honor you in all we do. Help us turn everything into thanksgiving and praise, and as we do so, may the world see that you are our strength; that your temple is fortified by knowledge of who you are. Praise be to God!