Paul’s letter to the Gentile church in Ephesus is rich with doctrinal truth about our identity in Christ. Written during his imprisonment in Rome (61-63 AD), this epistle emphasizes God’s grace and the unifying work of Christ in bringing Jews and Gentiles together into one body—the Body of Christ.
Understanding Our Past and Present in Christ
Paul reminds the Ephesians (and us) of our former condition before salvation:
📖 Ephesians 2:11-12
“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
🔹 Separated from Christ – Before the gospel of grace, Gentiles had no access to Israel’s God and were without hope.
🔹 Aliens to the covenants – Unlike Israel, Gentiles had no covenant relationship with God, no inheritance, and no access to His promises.
🔹 Without God – Gentiles lived in spiritual darkness, completely cut off from the one true God—for nearly 2,000 years, from Abraham to Paul.
But then comes the incredible contrast:
📖 Ephesians 2:13
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (the gospel).”
This verse is everything! We were far off, but now we are near! How?
📖 Ephesians 3:6
“That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,”
Three Key Truths That Stand Out in This Passage
1️⃣ Remember Where You Came From – Paul urges us to never forget that we were once lost, hopeless, and separated from God.
2️⃣ The Blood of Christ Changes Everything – It is only through the Cross that we are brought near to God—not by works, religion, or heritage.
3️⃣ We Are Now in Christ – As believers, we are no longer outsiders but fully accepted, reconciled, and given a new identity in Him.
Final Thought
This is our testimony—once alienated, but now part of God’s family! We were without hope, but now we have everything in Christ.
Are you living in the fullness of this truth today?
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