A New Day

 ¹¹ 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— ¹² 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. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:11-13, ESV). 

Therefore.  My senior pastor says, whenever there is a “therefore” in scripture, we need to know what it is there for.  So in the previous verses, the Apostle Paul gives us the groundwork.  They were dead in their transgression, children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.  But God rich in mercy and love, made them alive in Christ, by grace they have been saved.  It was God’s gift, not their works, that in Christ they were created for good works, which God prepared beforehand. 

The Apostle Paul establishes the ground in the previous verses.  Everyone since Adam, since the fall in the garden, has come into the world at the same helpless state, dead in transgression - children of wrath, saved by grace.  However, verses 11-13 bring us to this dispute between the Jewish and Gentile Christians.  But it was a new day for the church and the Gentiles were now included.  In Christ both the Jews and Gentiles were to be one church. On more than one occasion, the Apostle Paul addresses this ongoing dispute between the Jews and Gentiles. 

The Jewish Christians had no love for the Gentiles at all.  After all, the Jews originated from God’s chosen people part of the covenant of promise. Paul calls them the “circumcision” group.  As a part of the covenant of promise, God told Abraham that every male shall be circumcised (Genesis 17:9-10).  They prided themselves in that and looked down on the Gentiles, calling them the “uncircumcision.”  Basically this was an open insult to the Gentiles!  And so the Apostle Paul brilliantly tackles the tension. 

 

He begins reminding the Gentiles where they came form – separated from Christ, alienated from the common wealth of Israel, strangers to the covenant of promise, and having no hope without God in this world.  Truth is, they were!  They were a desolate people without hope.  And the Jewish Christians considered themselves the in crowd because of the covenant.  But Paul points out for the Jews, the circumcision was external, made in the flesh by hands.  Although circumcision was important to the Israelites, it was not boasting rights.  The only legit boasting was of God, understanding and knowing Him (Jeremiah 9:24).  They were still in jeopardy themselves because of their failure to stay completely devoted to God. 

25 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart” (Jeremiah 9:25, ESV). 

God wanted a heart circumcision, total devotion to Him with all their heart.  The Israelites repeated failed at this and God’s plan was to include the Gentiles.   

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:11-13, ESV). 

But now… It was a new day and a new covenant came into effect.  By the blood of Jesus the Gentiles were now brought near, no longer were they strangers, but now they were members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19). The Gentiles have now become a part of God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus, for the good works He has prepared before hand for to be done by them.  And the Apostle Paul is directing them to be one unified body in Christ. 

Even today, the church is made up of different people with different personalities and opinions.  Let’s face it, often it can be challenging, it can be messy.  None the less, were are called to be one in Christ. 

Some years back my church started a Seminary Chapel Service on Sunday evenings.  It began as a training service for men going to Seminary, my husband being one of them.  About a year into it one of the men moved on and there was an opening.  Knowing God was calling me and it would include teaching publically, I was allotted a spot on the team for training purposes. 

My first meeting with the team included the pastor overseeing the service, three “hardcore” Reformed Theology based men, and me.  To establish team unity our first meeting included clearing the air.  The question came up something like this, is everyone okay with a woman on the team?  It was a valid question!  Basically the general consensus answer was: they were okay with it, as long as, my preaching was theologically and biblically sound and not feelings based, not omitting feeling by any means, just not led by feelings or emotions. 

The challenge was set and honestly not just by them.  Although I was very excited where God was leading me and thankful to have that opportunity, I was equally nervous.  Nervous because I would never want to misinterpret scripture or teach something that was wrong.  It was confirmed for me that day!  And so that was the beginning of us working together as a team.

Just like in Ephesians, God picks team, and it may include others we don’t like or agree with.  We too may have our differences, but God still calls us to be unified in the church and in our ministry teams.    

Lord, thank you for the BUT NOW – The New Covenant!  The New Covenant that also includes us.  We were all dead in our trespasses and sin, but now through the blood of Jesus, You have made a way for all us to be brought near.  No longer are we a people without hope, without You.  In Christ, we are now called to work together for the good works You have prepared beforehand and to walk in them.  Give us the wisdom and direction to do this.  In Jesus Name, Amen.