Young People's Group

A Deep Appreciation of Our Salvation

by Mitchell Tan
December 12, 2019

REMEMBERING OUR PAST ESTRANGED STATE

Salvation is a gift that can be deeply appreciated when we recall where we were saved from. This was something that the Apostle Paul sought to do as he continued his epistle to the Ephesians.

“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh – who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands …”
Ephesians 2:11

The conjunction “therefore” in the context has the idea of looking at the current thinking. The challenge from Paul to the Ephesian Church was to remember their past estranged state at the time when they were still not saved. There was a time when the Ephesians were Gentiles without salvation. They were once being called “uncircumcised” by the Jews who were circumcised. There was a point of time when the Ephesians and all Gentiles were being despised by the Jews.

WITHOUT CHRIST

“… That at that time you 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.”
Ephesians 2:12

1. A STATE OF LIVING WITHOUT CHRIST

The phrase “at that time” emphasised the past point of time. It was at a time that the Gentiles were separated from Christ. They were in a state where He did not exist in their lives.

2. SPIRITUALLY ESTRANGED FROM GOD’S PEOPLE

They were totally estranged from the commonwealth of Israel. Gentiles were not part of God’s people, the nation of Israel. The Lord had blessed Israel throughout history and continues to do so. The Gentiles were outside the commonwealth of Israel.

3. STRANGERS TO THE COVENANTS

The Jews took pride in the Covenants of Abraham and Sinai. However, the Gentiles were strangers to these covenants. These covenants did not apply to them.

4. NO HOPE AND WITHOUT GOD

The Gentiles had no sense of hope in their hearts. They were existing without God in their lives. They were left to fend for themselves in this world.

IN CHRIST

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Ephesians 2:13

The emphasis is on the “but now”. It is for the Gentiles to now appreciate deeply their present state in Christ.

1. THE CRUCIAL WORK OF CHRIST IN SALVATION

It is in the person of Christ that the Gentiles now have salvation. It is by means of the blood of Christ that they too have access to God.

2. THE COMPLETE WORK OF SALVATION

The Gentiles who were once far off from God, but now they have been brought near to Him. This is indeed a great privilege!

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Let’s truly appreciate our present state in Christ during this Christmas time. If Christ did not save us, we who are Gentiles would still be estranged from God. We would be strangers to the covenants of God, having no hope and without Him in this world. What a dreadful thought! It is because of Christ and our salvation that we can now draw near to God. We can be full of hope and with Him in this world. Thank God for His marvelous grace. Let’s be full of gratitude to God for the Lord Jesus and our salvation during this Christmas time.

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