Redeemed by grace. A series on Ephesians part 4 (Ephesians 2:11-22)


Read Ephesians 2:11-22 (see bottom)

In our text, Paul is talking about the reconciliation of the Jews and Gentiles. This falls within God's greater work of reconciling man from sin and death to life. God does not save us by our "keeping the law." Our salvation comes from Christ, by His blood. No matter how good a person thinks they are, they can not earn their salvation. We need Jesus's saving work and to be cleansed by His blood. 

Paul reminds us of how we were before, as unbelievers. We were separated, strangers, and hopeless. But all who trust in Christ have been reconciled and made one by His blood. There is no unity without the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can break down the "wall of hostility" and grant forgiveness through the cross. The Father planned salvation, the Son was sent to accomplish salvation, and the Spirit was sent to apply our redemption. This is how we are made to be temples of the Holy Spirit. Knowing that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit should change the way you live. So live then, as one who has been redeemed by grace, through faith, by the blood of Jesus.


Ephesians 2:11‭-‬22 ESV

"Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 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. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him, we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him, you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."


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