Are we ready for the grounds that are just ahead of us? The world as a whole believes that it is "Christian," but does that make it so? There are many legal religious institutions of man's own imagination that speak of themselves as being the "church," or as being "Christian," but does that make it so? With those things said, lets look again into what Paul by revelation reveals of our being living hosts, that is to say humanity's being One in Christ. And by the way least I forget, I will separate chapter 3 from this revelation simply because Paul returns our attention to his stewardship, which is ours by birth into the living and breathing church. When you come to the quote taken from Isaiah 57:19, I would suggest taking a look at the entire passage because it addresses the wicked as seen/known by GOD through the eyes of Isaiah. In case your wondering where it is in the text of our targeted passages, it is verse 17. Also it should be noted when reading Paul's language used, listen to see if you can pick up on a hint of contempt, that is in his voice.
Ephesians 2:11-22 "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 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 (this next line is a quote taken from Isaiah 57:19): "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(G4883) groweth(G837) unto an holy temple(G3485) in the Lord (John 17:13-19, 20-24, 25-26): In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (KJV)
Ephesians 2:11-22 "Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility (this next line is a quote taken from Isaiah 57:19). And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together(G4883), grows(G837) into a holy temple(G3485) in the Lord. In him you also are being built together (John 17:13-19, 20-24, 25-26) into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." (ESV)
Ephesians 2:11-22 "Remember where we came from; (not only were we/you spiritually dead/asleep but) it wasn't long ago when we were still classified as non-Jewish, judging on the surface we had nothing that linked us (not counting our shared humanity as common grounds) to them. They sneered at us because we didn't share their distinguishing mark of circumcision, which was their only claim to fame! During that time we were distanced from the Messiah hope; we had nothing in common with Israel. They made us feel foreign to their covenants of prophetic promise, living a life with nothing to look forward to in a world where GOD seemed absent. But now, wow! Everything has changed; we have discovered yourselves to be located in Christ (the Messiah of Israel's fame). What once seemed so distant is now so near; his blood reveals our redeemed innocence and authentic genesis. It is in him that we are one and at peace with everyone; he dissolves every definition of division. (What we know, and now posses will put war and divorce out of business.) In his incarnation, he rendered the entire Jewish (all legalism of religious) systems of ceremonial laws and regulations useless as a measure to justify human behavior and conduct. In that he died humanity's death all grounds for contension and hostility were entirely removed, laid bear on the cross. The peace he proclaimed reveals one new human race, created and defined in Christ, instead of two groups (the first lie, that many hang too, caused this to swell to today's numbers) in people separated by their ethnic identity and differences. Both parties are fully represented and equally reconciled to GOD in one human body through the cross. He reinstated the former harmony; all opposing elements were thusly utterly defeated. On this basis he made his public appearance, proclaiming the Good News of peace to the entire human race; both those who felt left out in the cold (as far as the promises and covenants were concerned), as well as to those who were near all along (because of their Jewish identity; this next line is a quote taken from Isaiah 57:19). Because of Christ both Jew and Gentile now enjoy equal access to the Father in one Spirit. The conclusion is made clear; we are no longer frowned upon as a foreigner; we are where we belonged and are part of an intimate family unit, once again. Our lives now give tangible definition to the spiritual structure, having been built into it by GOD upon the foundation that the Prophets and Apostles proclaimed eons ago. The first evidence of this building is Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. (He is the visible testimony to the restored image and likeness of GOD in human form.) In him everyone of us is like a [1]living Lego block fitted together of the fabric (1 conversation), giving ever [2]increasing articulation to a global mobile [3]sanctuary intertwined in the LORD. (The word, [1, G4883 from G4862 and a derivative of a compound of G719 and G3004] is sunarmologeo, it comes from (G4862) sun , meaning union, and (G719) harmo meaning harmony, and (G3004) logeo meaning conversation. The word, [2, G837] auxano, means expanding with growth. The word, [3, G3485] naos, is translated as the most sacred dwelling space. Or the inner chamber of the Jewish temple where no one dared go.) In him we are co-constructed together as GOD's permanent spiritual residence (John 17:13-19, 20-24, 25-26). We are GOD's residence, address if you will." (The Mirror)
Again we have indeed covered at lot of spiritual ground. Until next time the LORD willing when we shall move on into chapter three. Until then may the LORD reveal within you and yours his temple room of GOD's indwelling.
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