Isaiah - Verse By Verse | Walking through Ephesians

Walking through Ephesians - Day 34

versebyverse | November 24, 2007 17:14

Thought: To me, it never hurts to remember, in humility, who we are and where we have come from!

Question: Has anyone done more than God to elevate "unacceptable" classes of people?

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11 (NIV): "Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called 'uncircumcised' by those who call themselves 'the circumcision' (that done in the body by the hands of men)--"

Paul describes how it is to be outside of Christ. He reminds his readers in Ephesus, who now believe, that "formerly" they did not believe. He reminds them also that Jews had called them, labelled them, outcasts and unacceptable. (To the Jews one had to be circumcised in the flesh to be acceptable.) Paul also adds the noteworthy comment that this acceptability was worked out, or accomplished, by the Jews themselves upon themselves. It was not an act of God. (Can people, any people, make themselves acceptable to God by their own hand, their own effort, their own "work"? And then can they impose that "work" upon other peoples?)

Prayer: Thank You, oh my wonderful God, for making the "unacceptables" fully acceptable in Your eyes through Christ, not through men's works! Amen.