CAN ONLY BE RECONCILLED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

EPHESIANS 2:11-13

11Therefore, 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 covenant of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought neard by the blood of Christ.

2: 11-16   Before Christ’s coming, Gentiles and Jews kept apart from one another. Jews considered Gentiles beyond God’s saving power and therefore without hope. Gentiles resented Jewish claims. Christ revealed the total sinfulness of both Jews and Gentiles, and then he offered his salvation to both. Christ breaks down the walls of prejudice, reconciles all believers to God, and unifies us in one body.

2: 11-13   Pious Jews (“ the circumcision”) considered all non-Jews (the “uncircumcised”) ceremonially unclean. They thought of themselves as pure and clean because of their national heritage and religious ceremonies. Paul pointed out that Jews and Gentiles alike are unclean before God and need to be cleansed by Christ. In order to realize how great a gift salvation is, we need to remember our former, natural, unclean condition. Have you ever felt separate, excluded, hopeless? These verses are for you. Christ’s love overcomes all feelings of alienation and brings outsiders into the body of believers.

2: 11-13   Jews and Gentiles alike could be guilty of spiritual pride— Jews for thinking their faith and traditions elevated them above everyone else, Gentiles for trusting in their achievements, power, or positions. Spiritual pride blinds us to our own faults and magnifies the faults of others. Be careful not to become proud of your salvation. Instead, humbly thank God for what he has done, and encourage others who might be struggling in their faith.

Tyndale. NIV Life Application Study Bible

How often today do we see our different denominations claiming different criteria for our salvation? And other religions claiming another god is their salvation. But Paul totally refutes all these ways of thinking and actions telling us that JESUS CHRIST is the ONLY WAY to salvation!!!

ON THE WAY HOME WALK WITH JESUS and make sure that you know that you know that only the blood of JESUS and what he did at the cross is the ONLY way of salvation for ALL PEOPLE.

onthewayhomeministries.org by RICHARD DEAN BROOKS