Ephesians 2:11-22 (NRSV)
Read Ephesians 2:11-22 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called "the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision" -a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands- Verse 12remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Verse 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Verse 14For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. Verse 15He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, Verse 16and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. Verse 17So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; Verse 18for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. Verse 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, Verse 20built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Verse 21In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; Verse 22in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
Devotion
Have you ever felt on the outside? Maybe you were the last to be chosen for teams, the one who looked different, acted different or talked different. Today you are chosen...and you are chosen first. You are the one God wants to spend time with. Christ came into the world to destroy the things that separate, alienate and divide. What are the things separating you from God? Christ is willing to take them from you. What are the things that alienate you from others? Christ can overcome them. What things divide you from the ones you love? Christ's love can break through those obstacles. Today, let God choose you, claiming you as one of God's chosen people and a member of God's family. Let Christ remove the barriers and heal the divisions in your life.
Prayer
...You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household.
(Ephesians 2:19 NIV)