Ephesians 2:12-13

"[Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart) from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise [with no knowledge of or right in God's agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God" Ephesians 2:12.

Here, in greater detail, Paul explains the destitute condition of those people outside the Old Covenant... The Uncircumcised Gentiles had no connection with Christ. The consensus of the Jews at that time, even those who were not saved, was that their Messiah was still coming.

This same belief among Orthodox Jews in Israel persists today, not accepting the truth that He has already come once as Savior and next as King of kings. On the other hand the Gentiles had no expectation of a Messiah to light up their spiritual darkness and they knew nothing at all about Him.

13. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near.

And so Paul has brought us back here again... considering what God has done, and what kind of love He must have to do this. The more you think about it, the more you want to do something for Him. But in trying to find what we can do, we find that it is best just to allow Him to finish His work... His plan... His Will.

Words that describe our roll in His plan now center around Following, Submitting, Yielding, Standing... Less of me and more of Him. Turning our concerns toward Him and trusting Him... relying upon Him. That is a wonderful way to live. Amen?

Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 2:14 next time.

I love you.