April 30th | Once Far Away - Now Near - Part II

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

ONCE FAR AWAY – NOW NEAR – Part II

Ephesians 2:13 “But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.” 

St. Paul wrote the words of Ephesians 2:11-13 to Christian who were mainly gentiles. Yesterdays verses (11-12) reminded them what it had been like prior to their coming to faith in Jesus. They, he said, were far away. They had no spiritual hope. They were relegated to spending eternity in hell. What a reminder his words were of the hopeless spiritual condition under which they had lived.   

“BUT NOW” the conditions have changed. In verse 13, St. Paul reminds them NOW they were “united with Christ Jesus.” Yes, once they were far away, BUT NOW they are near. They now have a new life through the faith God has given them in His Son.   

You may not remember, but at one time you were “far away” from God. Your life was hopeless. You were living in the bondage of Satan, sin, and the world. As the Bible says, “you were dead in your trespasses and sin.” (Colossians 2:13) “BUT NOW” you have been united with Christ Jesus.   

Romans 6:4-11 describes this change in your life: “For (you) died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now (you) also may live (a) new (life.) Since (you) have been united with him in his death, (you) will also be raised to life as he was. (You) know that (your) old sinful (self was) crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in (your life.) You) are no longer (a slave) to sin. For when (you) died with Christ (you) were set free from the power of sin. And since (you) died with Christ, (you) know (you) will also live with him. (You) are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and He will never die again. Death no longer has any power over Him. When He died, He died once to break the power of sin. But now that He lives, He lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider (yourself) to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” 

Now that by your baptism and the gift of faith in Jesus the Holy Spirit worked in you through this Means of Grace, you are not far away. . . you are near. Your life is not hopeless because you now have hope through your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.   

Prayer: Holy Spirit, daily keep me in the true faith you have given me to remain near to my heavenly Father through Jesus who redeemed me from unbelief and eternal death. In His name. Amen. 

Draw us to Thee, For then shall we Walk in Thy steps forever  And hasten on Where Thou art gone To be with Thee, dear Savior. 

Draw us to Thee, Lord, lovingly; Let us depart with gladness  That we may be Forever free From sorrow, grief, and sadness. 

Draw us to Thee; O grant that we May walk the road to heaven!  Direct our way Les we should stray And from Thy paths be driven. 

Draw us to Thee That also we Thy heav’nly bliss inherit   And ever dwell Where sin and hell No more can vex our spirit. 

Draw us to Thee Unceasingly, Into Thy kingdom take us;  Let us fore’er Thy glory share, Thy saints and joint heirs make us.

(LSB 701)