MADE NIGH BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST

Eph. 2:13-22

Morning Meditation 4/21/2013

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

In Ephesians 2:1-3, and in verse 12, we are given God's terrible but true description of fallen humanity. Apart from Christ we are:

1. Dead in sin; verse 1.

2. Deceived by the world; verse 2.

3. Dominated by Satan; verse 2..

4. Degenerate in our living; verse 3.

5. Doomed to eternal punishment; verse 3.

Left to ourselves we are utterly lost, helpless and hopeless. The world does not accept this description, but God declares it; Romans 3:10-18.

What is God's attitude toward fallen humanity? We certainly have no claim on God. Our completely bankrupt, destitute and disobedient state would justify Him in having nothing more to do with us.

As we observe Ephesians chapter 2 there are two “buts” which reveal to us the amazing love of God in Christ Jesus:

1. The first is found in verse 4: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us." It would truly be a tragedy if this “but God” were not true. The human race is by nature the children of wrath. This is where we are in and of ourselves. When we measure ourselves, we create our own standard of measurement, and when we do this, we come out ok. The mistake of this human philosophy, is believing Satan's lie. We must remind ourselves that in order to have eternal life we must accept God's diagnosis of our condition and cast ourselves upon God in repentance, and trust in His mercy for our salvation. God has the motive and power to redeem us from the wrath to come.

Mercy, according to Easton's Bible dictionary, means, “Compassion for the miserable”. Its object is misery. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness.”

2. The second is found in verse 13. In verse 13 Paul says, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." The words “made nigh” translate “ginomai” and means, “are made nigh by the blood of Christ: so as to have nearness of access to and communion with God, Father, Son, and Spirit, and the saints, in virtue of the blood of Christ; which gives boldness and speaks peace; by which their persons are justified, the pardon of their sins is procured, reconciliation is made, and their garments are washed, and made white; and so they draw nigh with confidence by the faith of him.

We were once far off. The words, “far off,” speak of our pre-salvation lives. They were sinners without hope in this world. They couldn't keep God's standards and knew it. They discovered that the blood of Jesus has satisfied in full the broken law. So Paul is able to speak to those who were “sometimes far “off” and are now made nigh by the blood of Christ.

It is the precious blood that lets us into His presence in prayer now, and upon His return we all will have the privilege of “coming nigh” without fear. Why will we be able to do this? It is because He is rich in mercy and He has made a way through the precious blood of Christ for us to become His children. We are truly made nigh by the blood of Christ.

In Christ

Bro. White