Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 2:17-22.
“AND HE (Christ) CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY (Gentiles), AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR (Jews); for through Him we both have our 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 are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:17-22.
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What a dramatic contrast between the two images! In yesterday’s immediately preceding Scripture, we read about the Law as “the barrier of the dividing wall” between the Jews and the Gentiles. Ephesians 2:14-15. In today’s Scripture, we read about “God’s household” of both Jews and Gentiles, “being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit”. Verses 19 and 22.
We, Gentiles, “are no longer strangers and aliens, but … are fellow citizens with the saints (Jews), and are of God’s household”. Verse 19. “AND HE (Christ) CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY (Gentiles), AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR (Jews); for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.” Verses 17 and 18.
Christ Jesus Himself is “the corner stone” of this “holy temple in the Lord” which is “a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” Verses 20-22. Christ is “a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God” upon which we, Gentiles, in addition to the Jews, “are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 1 Peter 2:4-6.
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” 1 Peter 2:9-10.
This is the work of God. “This is the LORD’S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:23 “And they *sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!” Revelation 15:3
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 