Daily Bread: Then and Now in Christ

😇 Shalom to all.
God’s word today:

“Therefore remember that FORMERLY you who are Gentiles by birth and called ‘uncircumcised’ by those who call themselves ‘the circumcision’ (which is done in the body by human hands)—remember that at that time you were without Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But NOW in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
(Ephesians 2:11–13)

Then and Now in Christ

The Apostle Paul reminds us of our former condition. Before knowing the Lord Jesus, we lived far from God’s promises, separated from His grace, and without the certainty of eternal hope.

Yet the Word of God does not stop at the word formerly. Verse 13 declares, “But now in Christ Jesus…”. This is the good news of the Gospel. Through the cross of Christ, we who were once far away have been brought near. The blood of Jesus restores our relationship with God, gives us new hope, and claims us as His own.

The cross is not only a sign of forgiveness of sins, but also a mark of a new identity. We no longer live as strangers; we have entered into God’s covenant through spiritual circumcision, as a people dearly loved by the Lord. Our lives now have purpose, hope, and a future in Christ.

Let us live with grateful hearts, remembering where the Lord has brought us from, and walk faithfully as those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Amen.

Bless you
ps caleblusi