“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)
Adam and Eve’s original sin resulted in forced exile from their beautiful Garden home where they met daily with God. Sin also severed the mystical relationship that originally existed between the Creator and the creature. From that point forward, man in his natural state was infinitely separated – or “far off” – in terms of proximity to God’s favor. And being without God equates to being without hope, “… without Christ, having no hope and without God in the world,” (Eph. 2:13). In such a state, we are wretched and miserable (Rev. 3:17), no matter what our position in life happens to be or what privileges we think we have. It is true that the natural man, apart from Christ, may be richly endowed by God with unique gifts and worldly graces. He or she may be an accomplished musician or be gifted with an amazing intellect. These gifts may even lead to a wealth of earthly treasures and social status. And yet, if a person is without Christ, they are without true blessedness. No matter how many impressive skills and qualifications they possess, no matter how lovely their family might be, no matter how rich they are, or how blessed in any other manner that they can measure, they are destitute of the one blessing that matters for all eternity, that of knowing Christ as Savior. How, then, can this relationship be amended? How can this hopeless condition be rectified? How can the relationship that was severed in the Garden be restored? Paul answers in Ephesians 2:13: “…you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ!” The blood of Christ – the substitutionary death of the sinless Lamb on the cross – is the path by which we are brought near to God. The sacrificial blood of God the Son applied to the destitute heart is the only means of restoration and reunion with our Maker. Westminster Divine Simeon Ashe said, “There is a great necessity which is laid on all sinners to come to Christ as a duty imposed by God’s necessary command, and as the only means appointed by divine wisdom so that Christ may be enjoyed, and that the poor sinner may be saved.” A submission to the Lordship of Christ and believing in His power to save is required for the Gospel of grace to take effect. Those who want to live truly blessed by God must be brought near to God by the Spirit of God through the blood of the Son of God. Be persuaded to come to Christ – initially for salvation and then continually for daily spiritual strength. Yield to the conditions of the Gospel of grace that you may be brought near to God, without which there is no hope.- I consider my own emptiness and Your fullness, Lord. When I get hungry, I get something to eat. And for my spiritual hunger, You tell me to come to You to obtain food without money or price, that I might be rich and clothed and fed. I come before You, Lord, to sit at Your table and be blessed with Your fullness.
- I know that I can have no fellowship or communion with You unless I live in the same light and life that You live in Lord. Honor my prayers, meditations, and readings of Your Word that I might grow into a more stable, light-filled Christian… that I may grow more like You… for Your glory.
- I have come to You, Lord Jesus, for salvation by Your Spirit, and I continue to come before You for strength and comfort. I offer up myself and my service to You in the name of Your Son, having been washed in His blood, so that You may find me acceptable in Him.
- Father, I have broken all Your laws and therefore deserve Your wrath. Yet You opened my eyes to the sinfulness and misery of my condition, bringing my will into obedience with Your will. You adopted me into Your family. With the same love with which You love Christ, continue to embrace me as well, and help me adore You in holiness all the days of my life.
