Brought Near

In Ephesians 2:11–13, Paul tells Christians to remember. Apart from Christ, we were separated from Him, strangers to God’s promises, without ultimate hope, and without God in the world. Remembering that condition is not an invitation to live in shame. It helps us understand the magnitude of grace. We were far off, but now in Christ Jesus we have been brought near.

That change did not happen because we improved ourselves or became religious enough to approach God. We were brought near by the blood of Christ. Jesus lived in perfect obedience, died as the substitute for sinners, and rose from the grave. Everyone who turns from sin and trusts in Christ is reconciled to God. The gospel does not merely give us a better life. Through Christ, God gives us Himself.

For the Christian, that truth should produce humility, compassion toward those who do not know Christ, and confidence to draw near to God in prayer, worship, repentance, trust, and obedience. We should never allow familiarity with the gospel to make grace seem ordinary. Join us at Refuge Church Centralia as we continue walking through Ephesians and learning to live in light of the gospel we have received.