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Ephesians 2:17-18

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Here is my commentary on Ephesians 2:17-18. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au

Ephesians 2:17-18

And he [Jesus] 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.

Jesus came and preached peace to those who were far off (i.e. Gentiles) and to those who were near (i.e. Jews)

The word for preached is derived from the word for Gospel or the good news – euangelion. This is the word from which we get words like evangelism and evangelical.

Jesus came and he preached a message of peace. It was not any message of peace; it was the good news.

This message is that God is in Christ reconciling the world to himself. The message of peace was firstly a message about peace with God.

Because Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, we are now able to come into God’s presence and enjoy relationship with him. The enmity that results in sin and rebellion against God has been dealt with.

Sin sets us against other people at a personal, community, and even international levels. We cannot have peace with others if we do not have peace with God first.

Paul views this as being exemplified as the division between Jew and non-Jew. The Jews had access to the Father through obedience to the Law. So now peace is possible because both parties can have peace with God in Christ.

It cannot be said often enough that the Jews are no longer separate from the Gentiles. They do not have a different path to Heaven. Paul says over and over that the Law was abolished in Christ and that there is no difference anymore between Jew and Gentile.

The destruction of the temple, never to be re-built, in 70 AD demonstrates that God has done away with the old covenant forever.

Through Christ (particularly His death on the cross) Jew and Gentile have access in the one Spirit to the Father.

The cross and the blood of Jesus wash away every sin. “God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

God loves the people of this world and brings us all the opportunity to repent and receive salvation in Christ – Jews and Gentiles, people from every tongue and tribe and nation.

Through Jesus we have access to the Father. When we know that our sins are forgiven, and there is no penalty to be paid, and no punishment to be feared, then we can boldly approach the Father.

The Father is “Abba”. He is not a distant almighty fearful deity to be approached with much abasement and the strict following of protocols. No, to those who are redeemed he is Dad.

Because of Jesus we can know God , an intimate experiential knowledge of our Creator. We can talk to him about the concerns that we have, the desires of our heart, and the needs of others. We can also listen to his voice , reassuring us of his love and grace, that he is handling the issues on our heart.

This access to the Father comes through the Holy Spirit. When we first came to faith, the Holy Spirit entered into us. The Spirit leads us and directs us, equips us and enables us to do impossible things for Christ.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12, give us the miraculous powers of Christ, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5 give us the character of Christ. As we grow in maturity into the fullness of the Holy Spirit, we become true representatives of Christ in the world .

In this sentence we again have a strong statement about the Trinity. The word Trinity is never used in scripture, but it is always present. Through Christ we have access to the Father in the Holy Spirit. Our God is three persons in one God, a community of eternal love – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Key points in this verse:

  • Jesus brings the good news of peace.
  • Peace is firstly peace with God.
  • Jews as well as non Jews need the gospel and the salvation of Christ.
  • The blood of Jesus washes away every sin.
  • Through Christ we have access to the Father.
  • God the Father is not a stern disciplinarian but a loving Father.
  • The Holy Spirit seeks to make us more like Jesus

Reflection on Romans 2:12-20

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Scripture

And this is the message I proclaim – that the day is coming when God, through Jesus Christ, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Observation

The Gentiles will be destroyed for their sins even though they didn’t have God’s written law. The Jews also will be judged because they had the Law but failed to obey it.

Obedience to the Law makes us right, not just knowing it. Even Gentiles instinctively know what is right because they have a conscience.

God is going to judge everybody through Jesus Christ.

Application

Salvation from the judgement is not just about the Law.

The Jews had God’s written law but many failed to obey it. They will be judged by the Law they disobeyed.

Gentiles will likewise be judged by their actions because their conscience told them what was right.

But Christ will judge everybody by their secret life. It is our actions at home or alone that show our hearts. Since God has access to our secret thoughts, He will be able to judge by our heart attitudes.

God is not impressed by people who live respectable or successful lives, and who go home and abuse their spouse or children.

Jesus said that murder has its roots in anger and that adultery starts with a lustful heart. It is these attitudes that will be judged, not just the outward actions.

This is not abut occasional bad thoughts, but a mind set that glories in sin.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you see into my heart and so I have no secrets before you. Please forgive me for my sinful thoughts and convict me of attitudes that I need to change. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 2:1-11

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Scripture

But there will be glory and honour and peace from God for all who do good- for the Jews first and also for the Gentiles.

Observation

You may think that you can judge the “sinners”, but if you are self-righteous you will simply be storing up judgement for yourself. If you judge people for their sins, you must realise how patient and tolerant God is with you for not judging your sins.

There will be a time when God’s judgement is revealed. He will pour out His wrath on those who do wrong, but He will pour out His glory, honour and peace upon those who do what is right.

Application

God is not interested in our blood lines, but He is interested in our attitude towards Him.

The topic of God’s judgement is very unpopular these days. In fact, we do not like the idea that anyone, let alone God, should judge us.

The truth is that there is a day of judgement coming. Those who have chosen the way of life will be raised to eternal life. Those who have chosen the way of sin will be condemned to hell.

People say they don’t like to believe in such things. They are on the same level as those who do not believe in the corona virus or that it somehow doesn’t apply to them. They then spread the infection across Melbourne and into other parts of Australia.

The virus is real, and it brings its judgement on all who ignore it. Sin is also real and it brings its own judgement, but with eternal consequences.

On the other hand, those who put their trust in Jesus and live for Him, will have their sins forgiven and will enjoy glory, honour and peace from God.

Prayer

Lord, I confess my sins to you today. Thank you for your promise that when we confess our sins to you, you forgive us and make us clean. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 1:18-32

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Scripture

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.

Observation

Even people who don’t know about God should see from the creation that God is real and powerful. There is no excuse for not knowing God in some way.

Because people refuse to worship the God who is there, their minds become dark and confused. They start to worship idols.

Because they worship created things rather than the creator, God has abandoned them to their shameful desires. Homosexuality is a case in point, but it applies to every form of wickedness.

Application

Wickedness abounds in this world because people refuse to acknowledge God. God lets them have their way, and so they continue to bring judgement on themselves.

Paul mentions homosexuality, but also a lot of other sins. Sexual sins get a pass in our culture, including among some christians. The reality is that God is our creator and has the right to set the boundaries for the life style which people should follow, including how we act on our sexual desires.

If I say that I will let my sexual desires overrule what God says, then I am making an idol of my body and that of the person I lust after.

We cannot allow our sexual desires to rule our lives at the expense of our relationship with God. This applies equally to other sinful desires such as gluttony, anger and greed.

To be a follower of Jesus means that I must be holy- set apart for God. This means a constant process of allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse every unclean thought and every unholy action from my life.

Prayer

Lord I acknowledge that you are the one who sets the standards by which I should live. You are the one who determines how I should live. Help me to worship you alone, and not to make idols of the things I want. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 1:8-17

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Scripture

I am not ashamed of the Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes- the Jews first and also the Gentile.

Observation

Paul thanks God for the believers in Rome, whose faith is being talked about throughout the world.

He prays often for them and for their needs. He especially prays for the opportunity to be able to visit them.

So far, Paul has been prevented from going to Rome, but he longs to go and work among them.

Application

The gospel is God’s mighty power at work, bringing salvation to both Jews and Gentiles.

Paul is clear in his writing that there is no distinction in the way God deals with people. There is not one pathway for Jews and another for Gentiles. We are all saved by faith in Christ.

This is the power of God at work. We are brought from a place of condemnation to a place of reconciliation with God. We know it is true because our hearts yearn for relationship with God.

God came into the world to reveal to us His great love for us. He died to set us free from death and sin.

The preaching of the gospel is powerful to change lives because it is empowered and endorsed by the Holy Spirit. The words of the gospel are brought to life by the confirmation in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

God’s mighty power breathes life into souls that were dead and washes away all of our sin, guilt and shame.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the power of the gospel. Thank you for sending Jesus into the world to pay for my sins. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 1:1-7

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Scripture

The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Observation

The letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ set apart to proclaim the Good News to the Gentiles. The Good News is about Jesus Christ.

We are called by God to belong to Christ. We are loved by God and called to be His holy people.

Application

The Good News is all about Jesus Christ God’s Son.

Jesus was born into the family line of King David. He is the descendant of David of whom it was promised would reign on the throne for ever.

Jesus is both human- the Son of Man- and the divine Son of God. While He is forever part of the Trinity, He has also uniquely lived among us ad knows what it is like to be a person.

In that sense, Jesus is like us. He was tempted and tested just as we are. He faced every human weakness and overcame it all.

Finally the people nailed Him to a cross, seeking to remove His sinless perfection from them. His death on the cross became the sacrifice which takes away the sins of the world.

But death could not hold Him down. The resurrection demonstrated to the whole world that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for calling me into your kingdom and into the family of believers. Amen.

Ephesians 2:15

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Here is my commentary on Ephesians 2:15. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au

Ephesians 2:15

“… by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one man in the place of two, so making peace.”

We are used to saying that Christ took our sins on his body on the cross, here Paul is saying something far more radical. Christ took the law with all of its commandments and regulations, and put it to death on the cross.

Jesus dealt with our guilt by destroying the power of the law to condemn us. If there is no law, there can be no transgression and no condemnation.

Every year politicians add more and more laws to our law books. There are so many now, some of them contradictory, so that it is impossible for any person to know all the laws that might apply to them, much less to know if they have broken the laws.

Just in driving a vehicle, the laws have become so many and so varied that most people break the law every day.

Paul says that in respect to the Jewish law, the law of God, Christ abolished the law in his flesh.

What freedom this brings to us, knowing that we are no longer bound by laws of sacrifice and diet. When we break those laws we are no longer under judgement because the laws are no longer in existence. Christ abolished them.

The early church had to wrestle with the question of whether the Gentiles who became Christians first had to become Jews. Did the uncircumcised have to belong to” the circumcision” to be acceptable to God? No,the Law had been abolished in Christ.

The result of the abolition of the law was the abolition of the distinction between Jews and Gentiles. If a Jew was the person who obeyed (or tried to obey) God’s law, then where there is no law there is no distinction between the two, other than perhaps cultural differences.

When it comes to salvation, when it comes to God, both Jews and Gentiles are in the same boat. They are “one new man.”

If the law has been abolished by Christ, Jewish people cannot be saved by the Law. Like Gentiles, they can only be saved by grace through faith in Christ. And many have been.

The” one new man” that Paul talks about here is the Christian Jews together with the Gentiles who follow Christ. Whether Jew or non-Jew, it is faith in Jesus that saves us, and it is faith in Jesus that unites us.

By abolishing the law in his flesh, Jesus is made peace between the two factions. There can no longer be any debate, conflict or hostility between the two as we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

Where there is family, there is peace

Key points in this verse

  • Christ abolished the law in his flesh
  • Where there is no law there is no guilt
  • Jews and Gentiles alike are saved by faith in Christ, not by the law
  • Jews and Gentiles who are saved are part of one family, brothers and sisters in Christ
  • Where there is family there is piece

Reflection on Matthew 11:16-30

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Scripture

Then Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Observation

Jesus addresses the crowds. He says that people complained against John the Baptist because he was harsh in his judgements and lived an austere lifestyle. But they are now critical of Jesus for partying with sinners,

He goes on to denounce the towns where he has worked great signs and miracles, but the people in those towns failed to repent.

Then Jesus makes His offer to all who will trust Him. If we let go of the burdens that wear us down and take up His yoke, we will receive rest in Him.

Application

The religious laws were a heavy burden for the Jewish people. The original laws given by God were not meant to weigh people down, but to be a joyous part of life. But over the centuries they became such an imposition that nobody could hope to fulfil them all. What had been a means to fellowship with God was now a barrier to fellowship with God.

So Jesus offers us a different way. We no longer have to obey rules to find peace with God. We simply have to receive the grace of God through Christ. Then our burdens are lifted away and we find rest in Him.

Of course, the religious spirit, which infects every sphere of human existence, immediately rears its head and tries to destroy grace. We feel inadequate because we fall into sin. Churches and pastors invent rules to define acceptable behaviour. A spiritual principle morphs into a religious rule.

Be on your guard against those who say, “You must,” You ought to,” or “Thou shalt not.” Instead the Holy Spirit will direct your conscience and the Word of God will be your guide.

Our way of living must always flow from our relationship with Christ.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the rest that you give when I hand all my burdens to you. Protect me Lord from false religion and harmful rules. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 7:15-25

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Scripture

Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Observation

Paul expresses the dilemma faced by many people. He says: I want to obey God’s law, I want to do what is right, but I don’t. I know God’s law is good, but my sinful nature is what keeps leading me into sin.

If I cannot do what I want to do, then it shows that I am a slave to sin. Sin is like a power that fights me.

There s only one way out of this dilemma, and that is through Jesus Christ.

Application

The old nature, the old man, the flesh, the sinful nature- it has many names. The fact is that as long as we live in this life, we will be prone to sin.

We can only live the holy life we want to live to the extent that we have crucified our old nature and allowed Christ to take control.

The christian life, the way of discipleship, is an ongoing process of allowing God to show us our sin and letting Him deal with it.

That is why Paul says that the answer to out sin problem is Jesus Christ. It is not just about forgiveness of sins, but deliverance from sin. It is not just about salvation but also about sanctification.

We were saved for good works (not saved by good works). When we allow Jesus to break the chains of our sins, then we can begin to be set free to live the lives that we were created for.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the way out of sin. You don’t just forgive us but you also teach us and equip us to live holy lives. Thank you. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 28:17-31

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Scripture

He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

Observation

After arriving in Rome, Paul is placed under house arrest. He calls together the local Jewish leaders. He tells them that he was brought to Rome because he was falsely accused in Jerusalem and had to appeal to Caesar.

They set a time to meet with the Jewish people of Rome. Paul shows from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah they have been waiting for. Some believe what Paul says, but others do not believe.

Paul continues to live in Rome for two years, proclaiming the gospel boldly to all who come to visit him.

Application

The last words of Acts summarise the whole book: Nobody can stop the gospel.

Here is Paul at the centre of the great empire, the seat of human power. He is under arrest waiting for his appeal to he heard. He seems to be in the position of weakness.

Paul was in prison, but the gospel was not. This is still true today.

There are people who try to censor the gospel and mute the church. The gospel will not be stopped because it is God’s word, God’s message of salvation.

Even the greatest power the world has seen could not quash the preaching of the gospel. Over many decades, the powers would try to eradicate christians, but they failed. In fact, it was Christ who overcame Caesar, not the other way round.

In today’s era, where those who oppose God seem to be on the rise in western nations, we need to remember that no human power has ever been able to thwart God’s Kingdom.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you are stronger than any human opposition. Thank you for the assurance that your Kingdom will outlast all human empires. Amen.