DAY 5 Made One with God - Ephesians 2:11–18

1. SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:11–18
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. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
 
2. OBSERVATIONS :
- What did this passage mean to its original audience?
At that time, the division between Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) was massive. It was religious, cultural, political, and racial. Jesus didn't just turn Gentiles into Jews, nor did He turn Jews into Gentiles. Through His blood on the cross, Christ abolished the law's dividing regulations and has removed the hostility that separated these groups and has created a whole "one new humanity" (v. 15). Now, both groups have been reconciled to God and to each other through the same cross.

To the early church, this meant that the church was supposed to be a visible demonstration of what Christ had accomplished. Remember, their unity was not based on having the same ethnicity, culture, or history. Their unity was based on Christ.

- What does this passage reveal about God?

• Jesus Himself is our peace (v. 14). Through His broken body on the cross, He tore down the wall of hostility, bringing together people from completely different backgrounds and making us one in Himself (Horizontal reconciliation, vv. 14-15). Through that same cross, He reconciled all of us to God the Father (Vertical reconciliation, v. 16). Because of what Jesus has done, people who were once divided can now come together as one unified family in Christ.
  
  
•  God is Triune and brings us into His presence through Christ (v.18).  Through the Son, by the Holy Spirit, we have access to the Father. The Father welcomes us through the Son and by the Spirit.

- What does this passage reveal about people?

•  We were “separate from Christ” and “foreigners to the covenants of the promise.” (v. 12). 
• We build dividing walls. People can easily build walls based on race, culture, nationality, social status, education, personality, or even church tradition and view "the other" with hostility or superiority (vv. 11–12, 14).
• We need Christ to reconcile us. Christ has made peace between us and God and between different people, We should not be people who create unnecessary division. We are called to reflect the peace we have received from Christ.

 3. APPLICATION: What does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions?
1. Attitudes — I was once “far off, without hope, and without God”. But Jesus brought me near through His blood. When I remember this, I want my heart to be filled with deep and humble gratitude. Jesus paid the price with His own blood. I want to live each day remembering what He has done for me.

2. Affections — If I'm being completely honest, living in a foreign land as an outsider and navigating a community made up of different cultures, languages, and backgrounds isn't always easy. I so often miss my comfort zone—being surrounded by people who share my own language, culture, and background. And truth be told, I frequently feel lonely.

However, I am reminded that Jesus died on the cross to dismantle those barriers and create "one new humanity." As I reflect on why God brought me to this specific place, I want my heart’s affections to align with His.

Just as the unity of the believers in Ephesus was not based on having the same ethnicity, culture, or history, but was grounded entirely in Christ, I want to discover my true comfort zone in Him. Instead of seeking safety in shared language or culture, I want to find my security in our oneness as one body through the same Holy Spirit. Instead of clinging to what feels safe and familiar, I want to genuinely love and celebrate the diverse, multi-cultural body of believers God is building right here.

3. Actions — I truly want to be a wall-breaker. I will be careful about creating unnecessary division. I want to be careful with my words. I also will intentionally reach out to people who come from different cultural or racial backgrounds and listening to their story, learning about their culture, and sharing life together. I want my life to reflect what Jesus has already accomplished.

4. PRAYER:
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for bringing me near to God through Your blood. Thank You for breaking down the walls that separated us and for making peace.

Forgive me for the times I have built walls between myself and others. Give me a humble and loving heart. Help me to forgive, listen, welcome, and pursue peace.

Holy Spirit, teach me to see other people through Your eyes and to love people who are different from me. Make me a person who brings people together instead of creating division. Let my relationships show the peace and love of Jesus.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.