QT 8/28/2026 Eph 2:11–13, Receive or Rebel

Ephesians 2:11–13 (ESV) —

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.

 

NOTE: In a round-about way, Paul shares some of our rewards in Christ. We are not separated from Christ anymore. We are not alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, but new citizens. In fact, we are now God's possession and adopted into God's family. The world believes all people are God's children, but that is not what the bible teaches. Only those whom God has adopted into his family are children of God. John writes:

 

John 1:12 (ESV) — 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

 

Also, we are not strangers to the covenants of promise. We do have hope now whereas we had no future prior to Jesus. We had no help, but now we have God and his special hope.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I really a  child of God? Have I placed my faith in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross as payment for my sins? Have I asked him into my life as Lord and Savior?

 

PRAYER: Father, It is so simple to receive your gift. Yet so many, in their rebellion, and refusal to give up their lives, actively fight against your gift. It doesn't take any work to become a child of God, but it does take work to rebel at every step.