One in Christ
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 2:11-22. In this Scripture Paul tells the Ephesians to remember since they were Gentiles by birth they weren’t part of God’s plan in Old Testament times? The law was given by God for the people of Israel, who were Jews. The Jewish people were called the Circumcision because part of God’s law required the men to be circumcised. The Gentiles were called the Uncircumcised because they weren’t under the same law of God.
Paul tells them during the time they were without Christ; they weren’t included in God’s people, Israel. They didn’t know the promises God had for them. They were without hope and without God in this world.
Thank God for Ephesians 2:13, in which Paul says, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Paul says, now Christ has made peace between the Gentiles and the Jewish people by making us all one people. He broke down the partition between us.
When Christ died on the cross He fulfilled the law, which the people hadn’t been able to keep anyway. Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice for sins for both the Jew and the Gentile, making peace between the two of them. By His death on the cross our hostility to each other was put to death. There was no more reason for us to be separated. We were all made one in Christ.
Jesus Christ came and preached peace both to the Jewish people and the Gentiles because through Him we can both come to the Father through the Holy Spirit. Since Jesus’ death on the cross the Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners, but are included as citizens along with the saints and are included in God’s family.
We, the church, are His house, built upon the foundations of the apostles and prophets, and Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone. We, who are believers, are joined together to become a holy temple for the Lord. Through Christ, the Gentiles were joined together with the Jews to become part of the dwelling place of God through the Holy Spirit.
First Corinthians 6:19 -20 tells us, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
If you are a Christian, you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior; your body is the temple or dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in you because you’ve accepted God. You aren’t your own because you were bought with the price of Jesus’ blood through His death on the cross. Therefore, we ought to glorify God in our body and spirit, which is God’s since we were redeemed or purchased by Jesus’ precious blood.
Daily Bible Reading
Ephesians 2:11-22
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye 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:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Things to think about:
- What do you think about the fact that only the Jewish people were included in God’s plan in the Old Testament?
- In what ways do you show God that you are thankful that He made a way so we all can be saved?
- If you are a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit living in you. How do you honor your body as God’s dwelling place?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Ephesians where Paul tells us about Your provision for the Gentiles. Thank You that You made a way for us that we, as Gentiles, could be saved, through the death of Your Son on the cross. Help us to tell others about this precious gift that You have provided for all of us, both the Jews and Gentiles alike.
We love You, Lord and thank You for the Holy Spirit that comes to dwell in us to lead us and guide us through our lives. Help us to be fit vessels for His dwelling place and for Your temple. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
-This is an excerpt from The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus by Deborah H. Bateman
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Featured Book:
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus
by Deborah H. Bateman
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of the book of Ephesians from the New Testament of the Bible. Ephesians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, which was written to the church at Ephesus.
In the book of Ephesians Paul reminds us that we are chosen of God. He encourages us to walk in unity in the church. He talks about our various relationships including our relationship with Christ, with each other, the husband-wife relationship and others. He also exhorts us to put on the full armor of God so that we are clothed for battle against the enemy.
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus consists of twelve lessons, which can be used for an individual daily Bible study or a group Bible study. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day.
For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.
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Have a blessed day,
Deborah
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