Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13

As I grow older and try to embrace the Spirit of God in my life, I find myself back to the elementary truths, among them that no matter what color, tribe or nation, that has absolutely nothing to do with my salvation, nor anyone’s, for that matter.  Pride of ancestry and role in life has no place in the heart of a believer.  To be sure cultural pride has bedeviled the followers of Jesus Christ through the years, each demanding ethnic or historical rights.   That is refuted emphatically by the Spirit of the Lord.

Listen.  You who once were far away.  Non-Jews!  Now, since Jesus died for all, so you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.  Do I really catch this?  Do I even begin to see life like that?  The new relationship is a unified family, members of the same household!

As I read this marvelous word, I am humbled beyond measure.  That I should be included simply takes my breath away.  I live in a nation of many cultures, dominated now and for years by Anglo whites.   And I am one of them!  I grew up with privilege that I did not deserve.  In Christ that is what happens, people from all cultures are made one in Christ Jesus.  All of us are brought near by the blood of Christ.

Dear reader, at this venerable age I am astounded even more with the provision to live an entirely new kind of existence on earth – redeemed by Jesus and welded to all believers by him!  Now and again I feel this and rejoice wit joy beyond measure.   I want my whole life to shout out the truth of this grace of God!

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4, 5

God’s amazing love, for us!  Paul calls it “great love.”  That is humbling beyond words.  God loves us!  We have no idea of the power of the love of God.  It is beyond power.  We do not deserve this love, by any means.

Paul goes deeper, God is rich in mercy.  How can God love me?  That is not the question, but the question is, how much mercy does God have?  Paul describes it as “rich.”   It is as rich as it is powerful.  If God is not merciful, we are all doomed.

Then, another surprise.  God… made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.  Life for death!  I stand amazed.  This is all grace!  I had nothing to do with my salvation, it was not earned, nor even fully understood, just offered freely!

I do hope, my reader, that you will feel the impact of this Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am personally overwhelmed, at my ripe old age of 90!  Join me in adoration and praise for God’s great love and mercy.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins… All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

Ephesians 2:2, 3

As for you, refers to the Gentile readers.  As for “All of us,” Jew and Gentile alike, we are no better!  It makes no difference as far as salvation is concerned whether you are Jew or Gentile.  Paul points that out quite dramatically here by insisting that he, a strict Jew, needed to be saved by Jesus. He is in the “we.”  We read, “Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.”  Paul places himself firmly among the “We.”

Let’s think about this for a moment.  Our cultures elevate us above others.  Our education and wealth do the same thing.  Our heritage is a source of pride.  That is to be human, we say.  It might be human but is not what Jesus taught.  Jesus and all the New Testament writers was clear on this point.

My world came tumbling down on me when, as a young missionary in Tanzania, I found myself stripped of all privilege by the Holy Spirit.  I fell on my face, repenting of all the pride that had built up in me. When I looked up, so to speak, I saw everyone in a different light – all of us who are before the Cross of Christ repenting are absolutely equal in the sight of God.  That vision shaped my life and thought, until today!  For that my heart sings and my spirit responds with joy and thanksgiving.

This year we planted several plants of the same species.  The effect is pleasing, if I must say so.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.

Ephesians 2:1

As for you. Who are the “you?” Paul is writing to all the believers in the vicinity of Ephesus in Asia Minor, Jews and non-Jews alike.  He knows these people very well, having ministered among them for three years!  He knew how hard it is for Jews and Gentiles to live together in love.  So, he lays the groundwork, they were both dead in transgressions and sins.  That is, Jews and non-Jews. The Jews may have debated that but not Paul – without the saving power of God in Christ it matters little what you believe, as far as new life in Christ is concerned.

We all start there, sinners.  Our culture, race, education, social class carry not a bit of weight when it comes to salvation.  We are all brought to the lowest level, sinners needing salvation!

So we all flee to the only place of salvation, to Jesus Christ who died and rose for us.

At first this looks easy.  It is so hard that without the mighty grace of God it is impossible!  It is only possible if the same Holy Spirit is in each.

On the phone to someone she really wants to communicate with.  A great woman, if I must say so!!

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 1:22, 23

This is the Word of God!  He placed all things under the feet of Jesus and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body.  Everything?  Then why is there so much confusion and fighting in our world?  Simple.  The world does not follow the path of Jesus Christ who died and rose again for us.  Only in Him is this promise fulfilled.  I do believe God tries to communicate with all people, in some way, but that is not the point here.

The body of Christ, his church, exhibits the fullness of God who fills everything in every way.  I must admit, for years I hurried over this passage, now I stop, ponder, apply it to my life and praise God with all my heart!

Why should we be even slightly drawn to another way, another person, when Jesus Christ is the answer, indeed?  I am stayed on this revelation to my heart.  Jesus fills everybody with everything in every way.  No exception.  I will continue to ponder this and believe it without doubt.

Our shed is being inundated with morning gory vines and tomatoes vines that reach to the peak.  What luxuriance!