October 14-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:11-12, Therefore, 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)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
Observe what it is saying.
Once again, Paul reminds the Gentile believers of what life was like before Christ. They were given the name, “uncircumcised,” by the Jewish people. Paul describes their spiritual standing: “Separate from Christ, Excluded from citizenship in Israel, Foreigners to the covenant, Without hope, Without God.” What they were, we are before we encounter the grace of God through faith. Paul reminded them and us how far we have come through God’s plan of salvation. Our previous status was a disaster. We were headed for eternal calamity. We had no hope for the future. Then, the grace of God reached down into the deepest depths of spiritual despair and performed the greatest rescue this world has ever seen. Before we can fully appreciate our salvation, we need to know how totally lost we were.
Relate it to your life.
Our spiritual rescue came from heaven to earth to overthrow the powers of hell.
Do something.
“Father, don’t let me forget what You have done for me to enjoy a hope-filled redeemed life. Amen.”
October 15-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:13, But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Observe what it is saying.
From being far away from God, everything changes when we are spiritually located in Christ Jesus. As believers, our GPS location is always the same. We are in Jesus. What a comforting thought! Wherever Christ is present, there we are. We often think about Christ being with us, but what if it’s the other way around? Isn’t it more powerful to think about being where Christ is? It’s there we are in God’s will. It’s there we are joining Christ in the work He is doing in the world. It’s there we enjoy living out our God-ordained purpose. In contrast to how far way we once were, now we have been brought as near as possible because of the blood of Christ that wipes away our sin. Because there’s nothing that stands in the way, I have full access in the holy presence of God!
Relate it to your life.
Though I was once far away, now, I am intimately connected to the holy love of Jesus.
Do something.
“Father, help me to fully grasp what this means. I’m with You at all times in Christ Jesus. Amen.”
October 16-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:14-16, For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul gives us insight into the full scope of God’s salvation. First, it restores our relationship with God. Second, it restores our relationships with one another. In particular, in this context, it was intended to bring both Jew and Gentile together through the same grace offered in Christ. In fact, the way of Christ himself is the very peace that would break down the division by putting both groups on the same playing field, giving them the same opportunity to be redeemed, and, thereby, becoming brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. God’s rescue plan is for the whole world. It’s not one of many ways to access God. It is the one way for all to know the love of God and be empowered to be united in love with one another.
Relate it to your life.
God’s redemption is intended to take away all hostility between God and us and us with all others.
Do something.
“Father, may I be all the more passionate to be a disciple-maker of Your all-encompassing plan. Amen.”
October 17-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:17-18, He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul identifies the core gospel message as peace. It’s the same message to those who were close like the religious Jews and to those who were far away as the pagan Gentiles. Regardless of our standing with God before Christ, we need the same message, the same Savior, and the same result. We have access to the Father in the same way. Before being a follower of Jesus, our sin-stained lives made us enemies with God. Through Christ Jesus, we have peace with God and are no longer at odds with Him. Then and only then, we can enjoy peace within our souls. When our relationship is right with God, we are made whole and well within ourselves. The fruit of the Spirit takes over: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). The powerful presence of the Holy Spirit then leads us to peace with others who are under the influence of the same Spirit.
Relate it to your life.
There’s only one place I need to go to find peace with God, peace within, and peace with others.
Do something.
“Father, please shower Your peace upon me as I go about living my life for Your glory. Amen.”
October 18-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:19-20, Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Observe what it is saying.
The result of this far-reaching peace that reaches the furthest pagan is that we’re all brought together as citizens in the same kingdom and the same family. Instead of putting up barriers, Christ came to tear them down. For all who are in Christ Jesus, there is no longer a dividing line between us and them. Our family bond is the Body of Christ so we must highly honor one another. We are all built together on those who have faithfully gone before us with Jesus being the most prominent foundation stone. Paul is asserting through this passage that our redemption was first with God but also creates unity with one another. There is now no need to have sharp division that we find in our nation today. We, as Christians, need to model for the world the peace of Christ which enjoys positive and healthy relationships.
Relate it to your life.
When the church fully enters into the peace of Christ, it makes a powerful impact on our public discourse.
Do something.
“Father, through the redeeming work of Christ, use me to increase the peace of our world. Amen.”
October 19-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:21-22, In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus is the mortar that holds the building of believers together. We know we are in Christ because the Spirit unites believers together as one community. That explains when we meet another believer for the first time, there is an instant connection. The Spirit within me is drawn to the same Spirit within you. We have this beautiful imagery that as believers built together, we rise up in the presence of God as a holy temple in the Lord. But that’s not all. God lives in us by His Spirit! We are the temple of God. The church is where He delights to dwell. He loves us and wants to have intimate fellowship with us. Is it our desire to be have this closeness with Jesus as well? Do we enjoy the presence of God as much as He wants to be with us? We create a hospitable space with loving and seeking hearts so that we make Christ feel welcome to fully enter into our lives and community of faith.
Relate it to your life.
I should be quick to say, “Holy Spirit, You are welcome here!”
Do something.
“Father, may you know You are welcome in my life by my humble worship and obedience to You. Amen.”
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:11-12, Therefore, 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)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
Observe what it is saying.
Once again, Paul reminds the Gentile believers of what life was like before Christ. They were given the name, “uncircumcised,” by the Jewish people. Paul describes their spiritual standing: “Separate from Christ, Excluded from citizenship in Israel, Foreigners to the covenant, Without hope, Without God.” What they were, we are before we encounter the grace of God through faith. Paul reminded them and us how far we have come through God’s plan of salvation. Our previous status was a disaster. We were headed for eternal calamity. We had no hope for the future. Then, the grace of God reached down into the deepest depths of spiritual despair and performed the greatest rescue this world has ever seen. Before we can fully appreciate our salvation, we need to know how totally lost we were.
Relate it to your life.
Our spiritual rescue came from heaven to earth to overthrow the powers of hell.
Do something.
“Father, don’t let me forget what You have done for me to enjoy a hope-filled redeemed life. Amen.”
October 15-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:13, But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Observe what it is saying.
From being far away from God, everything changes when we are spiritually located in Christ Jesus. As believers, our GPS location is always the same. We are in Jesus. What a comforting thought! Wherever Christ is present, there we are. We often think about Christ being with us, but what if it’s the other way around? Isn’t it more powerful to think about being where Christ is? It’s there we are in God’s will. It’s there we are joining Christ in the work He is doing in the world. It’s there we enjoy living out our God-ordained purpose. In contrast to how far way we once were, now we have been brought as near as possible because of the blood of Christ that wipes away our sin. Because there’s nothing that stands in the way, I have full access in the holy presence of God!
Relate it to your life.
Though I was once far away, now, I am intimately connected to the holy love of Jesus.
Do something.
“Father, help me to fully grasp what this means. I’m with You at all times in Christ Jesus. Amen.”
October 16-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:14-16, For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul gives us insight into the full scope of God’s salvation. First, it restores our relationship with God. Second, it restores our relationships with one another. In particular, in this context, it was intended to bring both Jew and Gentile together through the same grace offered in Christ. In fact, the way of Christ himself is the very peace that would break down the division by putting both groups on the same playing field, giving them the same opportunity to be redeemed, and, thereby, becoming brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. God’s rescue plan is for the whole world. It’s not one of many ways to access God. It is the one way for all to know the love of God and be empowered to be united in love with one another.
Relate it to your life.
God’s redemption is intended to take away all hostility between God and us and us with all others.
Do something.
“Father, may I be all the more passionate to be a disciple-maker of Your all-encompassing plan. Amen.”
October 17-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:17-18, He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul identifies the core gospel message as peace. It’s the same message to those who were close like the religious Jews and to those who were far away as the pagan Gentiles. Regardless of our standing with God before Christ, we need the same message, the same Savior, and the same result. We have access to the Father in the same way. Before being a follower of Jesus, our sin-stained lives made us enemies with God. Through Christ Jesus, we have peace with God and are no longer at odds with Him. Then and only then, we can enjoy peace within our souls. When our relationship is right with God, we are made whole and well within ourselves. The fruit of the Spirit takes over: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). The powerful presence of the Holy Spirit then leads us to peace with others who are under the influence of the same Spirit.
Relate it to your life.
There’s only one place I need to go to find peace with God, peace within, and peace with others.
Do something.
“Father, please shower Your peace upon me as I go about living my life for Your glory. Amen.”
October 18-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:19-20, Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Observe what it is saying.
The result of this far-reaching peace that reaches the furthest pagan is that we’re all brought together as citizens in the same kingdom and the same family. Instead of putting up barriers, Christ came to tear them down. For all who are in Christ Jesus, there is no longer a dividing line between us and them. Our family bond is the Body of Christ so we must highly honor one another. We are all built together on those who have faithfully gone before us with Jesus being the most prominent foundation stone. Paul is asserting through this passage that our redemption was first with God but also creates unity with one another. There is now no need to have sharp division that we find in our nation today. We, as Christians, need to model for the world the peace of Christ which enjoys positive and healthy relationships.
Relate it to your life.
When the church fully enters into the peace of Christ, it makes a powerful impact on our public discourse.
Do something.
“Father, through the redeeming work of Christ, use me to increase the peace of our world. Amen.”
October 19-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
Ephesians 2:21-22, In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus is the mortar that holds the building of believers together. We know we are in Christ because the Spirit unites believers together as one community. That explains when we meet another believer for the first time, there is an instant connection. The Spirit within me is drawn to the same Spirit within you. We have this beautiful imagery that as believers built together, we rise up in the presence of God as a holy temple in the Lord. But that’s not all. God lives in us by His Spirit! We are the temple of God. The church is where He delights to dwell. He loves us and wants to have intimate fellowship with us. Is it our desire to be have this closeness with Jesus as well? Do we enjoy the presence of God as much as He wants to be with us? We create a hospitable space with loving and seeking hearts so that we make Christ feel welcome to fully enter into our lives and community of faith.
Relate it to your life.
I should be quick to say, “Holy Spirit, You are welcome here!”
Do something.
“Father, may you know You are welcome in my life by my humble worship and obedience to You. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals