Once again my reading includes words of great encouragement from Paul who speaks of what is available to me as a child of God.
11 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. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 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. 17 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.
19
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. 21 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.
There are two ideas here that strike me:
> setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. > as I read yesterday work in and of itself will not gain me anything in the eyes of the Lord; I am to serve but out of humility and to glorify Him alone; even with my efforts I still don't deserve anything
> 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. > this in particular reminds me of the humanity I share with others as we are all children of God
> And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. > the Holy Spirit lives in me and it is active and available
When combined with verse 13 regarding the how I am always never far from Christ, I am greatly encouraged that I have a great and glorious God that lives in me and gives me immense power upon which I can draw for His great and glorious purpose! Totally awesome!
My Prayer: What an amazing gift You are Christ Jesus. I am surely not deserving of such a gift yet you provide it anyway. I need You Lord as I am far from perfect, and I sin all the time. Please forgive me Lord for my laziness, pride and other sin. Purify me and refine me Lord - take me. Transform my life and my heart Lord Jesus. I desire to serve You fully.
