TO BRING US HOPE
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Eph. 2:13, N.I.V.
His family was in East Berlin. Though he had managed to escape several years earlier, he had not been successful in his attempts to get his wife and children out. Each year his hopes diminished until, at last, he found himself with no hope left. And so he lived, lonely and despondent, in New York City for the rest of his life.
A great many people in this world live out their lives in a state of hopelessness. Things just never seem to turn out; plans are aborted, children turn against parents, the stock market fails. Without the knowledge of God, they have nothing to look forward to either in this life or in the life to come.
God's heart goes out to such people! In Ephesians 2:12, 13, we read, "Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ'' (N.I.V.). Let's examine this text carefully, so as not to miss the beauty of what Paul is saying.
To know God generates hope. You begin to realize that when God made covenant promises to Israel, it was a means of giving Himself to them. The tabernacle service was initiated so that God could "dwell among" men. The coming Messiah was referred to as Immanuel, which meant "God with us." And Christ's death demonstrated the extent to which God would go to secure us forever as His friends. This knowledge is meant to cause our hearts to raise up within us! There is more to life than heartache and shattered dreams. There is God with us.
He has drawn us near to Himself in the person of His Son. He walked lonely roads, bedded down among men who struggled with poverty, spoke to outcasts. He deliberately chose to have no home of His own, for He was making His home with us. The very last words that came from the Saviour's lips were " 'Remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the world' " (Matt. 28:20, Phillips).
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him" (Rom. 15:13, N.I.V.).
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Eph. 2:13, N.I.V.
His family was in East Berlin. Though he had managed to escape several years earlier, he had not been successful in his attempts to get his wife and children out. Each year his hopes diminished until, at last, he found himself with no hope left. And so he lived, lonely and despondent, in New York City for the rest of his life.
A great many people in this world live out their lives in a state of hopelessness. Things just never seem to turn out; plans are aborted, children turn against parents, the stock market fails. Without the knowledge of God, they have nothing to look forward to either in this life or in the life to come.
God's heart goes out to such people! In Ephesians 2:12, 13, we read, "Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ'' (N.I.V.). Let's examine this text carefully, so as not to miss the beauty of what Paul is saying.
To know God generates hope. You begin to realize that when God made covenant promises to Israel, it was a means of giving Himself to them. The tabernacle service was initiated so that God could "dwell among" men. The coming Messiah was referred to as Immanuel, which meant "God with us." And Christ's death demonstrated the extent to which God would go to secure us forever as His friends. This knowledge is meant to cause our hearts to raise up within us! There is more to life than heartache and shattered dreams. There is God with us.
He has drawn us near to Himself in the person of His Son. He walked lonely roads, bedded down among men who struggled with poverty, spoke to outcasts. He deliberately chose to have no home of His own, for He was making His home with us. The very last words that came from the Saviour's lips were " 'Remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the world' " (Matt. 28:20, Phillips).
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him" (Rom. 15:13, N.I.V.).
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