Could you ask for a better gift than being included in something you were initially never supposed to be a part of? The dopamine hit we usually experience when included in a group we never belonged to is undeniable (or when asked to contribute to a conversation when you thought you had nothing of substance to offer). Imagine being a child born out of wedlock or an affair, and once you confront the parent, they willingly accept you. I am confident that this will be a joy for many neglected kids. Similarly, this is the joy that we should have as Christians. We have been made part of a family to which we never belonged. Ephesians 2, the text I will be gleaning from, shows we were children of wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3). We were also dead in our sins and trespasses.
Despite these damning realities, God brought us near in his infinite wisdom and mercy. He did so through his Son, Jesus Christ. When we put our faith in Christ, we are no longer counted as children of wrath but God’s children with the right to call Him ‘Abba Father’ (Romans 8:15). Because of the grace through faith that saved us, we are the workmanship of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-10). However, what does that mean? How far removed were we? Paul, in Ephesians 2:11-22, expands further on Ephesians 2:1-10. Using Ephesians 2:11-22, I seek to show how we who were far off have been brought near and what that means for us.
How Far Off Were We?
Paul, writing to the Ephesians, shows that we were so far off that we were essentially regarded as the others (Ephesians 2:11). We were so far off that when unbelieving Jews heard that Paul proclaimed the gospel to Gentiles, they wanted him dead (Acts 17:4-9, 13; 22:21). As Paul wrote, we were considered those of the uncircumcision. However, that is a polite way of putting it as, in other instances, Gentiles were considered dogs (Matthew 15:25-26). Paul doesn’t conclude there, though. He builds on it further by showing us the five ways we were far off.
First, we were separated from Christ. This means that we had no hope for salvation as we were not part of the covenant nation, Israel. Since we were not of Israel, that means we were aliens among God’s people and not subject to God’s promises. Those three being true meant that we had no hope at all. In short, we were genuinely subject to God’s wrath. Not only were we subject to God’s wrath, but as Paul concluded, we were without God (Ephesians 2:11-12). Yes, God had revealed himself in more ways besides his word. As Paul reiterated, he wasn’t without witness (Acts 14:17, Romans 1:20). However, we chose to worship the creature instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25).
How We Were Brought Near
Through Christ, though, the impossible happened. In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul masterfully wrote on how we obtained salvation through the triune God. In Ephesians 2:11-22, our main scriptural reference, he showed what that meant. Our far-off nature was eliminated through Christ (Ephesians 2:13). Now, we have been brought near. With this, Paul sought to show what that meant: we have been adopted into sonship through the Son of God (Romans 8:15). Just like my analogy at the beginning of the article, what a joy it is!
What does it look like to be brought near? First, Christ becomes our peace (Ephesians 2:14). What does that mean? Paul continues to show that there was a dividing wall of hostility. It is one that Christ’s reconciliatory work broke down. Who were the hostile parties? We were as the children of wrath with God. Also, Jews and Gentiles as well. However, in Christ, we have peace with God (Romans 5:2, Ephesians 2:16). Also, in Christ, Jews and Gentiles are all equal in value (Galatians 3:28). To God, we are no longer enemies but His children. To the believing Jews, we are no longer aliens but brothers in Christ. We are united to Christ as his body, the Church–more on that later. The laws that separated Jews and Gentiles have been abolished, for in Christ, they were fulfilled (Ephesians 2:15).
Because of Christ’s reconciliatory work, we have been granted access to God. This has been done through the Spirit who indwells us (Ephesians 2:18). Through the Holy Spirit, we are of one spirit before the Father. We have been gifted with the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). That exemplifies itself through the body of Christ we’ve been made a part of–the Church. The Church, Paul shows, is God’s dwelling place (Ephesians 2:22). It is one built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets (Ephesians 2:20). This means we need no other foundation as this one is enough. All of it is built on Christ as the cornerstone.
The Church Images Christ’s Work
We are the living stones (1 Peter 2:5) on the foundation used to build God’s dwelling place (Ephesians 2:22). However, these stones are peculiar because, as we have seen, they aren’t similar (Ephesians 2:19). Herein lies the Church’s beauty, which is what we are, a group of misfits. How is that beautiful? In the Church of Christ, we learn to love those who might most irritate us. We shouldn’t be relating simply to those we know, but those we don’t. I’d venture to say that’s a great thing, as they might be the ones who fill up what’s lacking in us.
Drawing from Hebrews 3:12-14 and Hebrews 10:24-25, we are called to learn from and exhort one another even as the Day draws near.
If you are suffering, you can be sure that someone in the Church can exhort you, as they have probably gone through the same or worse. Are you grieving the loss of a child? The Church won’t lack someone to guide you who has gone through the same. Do you want to get married? The Church should be rife with married couples with loads of experience to guide you on your journey. Are you an extrovert who wants your speech to be gracious and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)? Someone in the Church should guide you through that. Are you a reserved person? The Church is where you get out of your comfort zone. I could write many more examples, but you get the point.
I would venture to say that if you go to a church made up of carbon copies of you, this might be a problem. Imagine if the Church at Ephesus was made up only of slaves or wives. The apparent temptation there would be to complain about their masters constantly. Or wives about their domineering husbands. However, the Church is a picture of Christ’s reconciliatory work—those far off have been brought near. The Gentile dogs, as the Jews called them, could now worship God with the Jews. Also, the Jews would praise God because of it (Acts 11:18). Paul, the zealous persecutor of the Church, would be welcomed into the Church (Acts 9:26-30). Also, those he was persecuting would be the ones to save him from persecution (Acts 9:23-25, 29-30).
Go Out of Your Way
The beauty of the Church lies in how we continue to draw near to Christ together in our own ways, not that we will ever be perfect or carbon copies of each other. After all, we are humans, and our human hearts are deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9), which means we will rub each other the wrong way at one point or another. However, through those imperfections, we will fill in what’s lacking in one another while striving to picture Christ’s reconciliatory work. Since we are no longer strangers and aliens to one another, we are all part of the household of God, citizens of an unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:25-29). With this in mind, may we readily go out of our way for the good of your fellow saints. Instead of tearing each other down because of your differences, build each other up, even with your differences.
Therefore, dear saint, realize and appreciate that God did the improbable. He chose to bring you near. In the same way that worldly acceptance is wholeheartedly pleasing, may God bringing you near be as well and infinitely more so. May the gifts it accords you mean a lot more to you for God’s glory and your good.
