“Building on the Corner Stone,”

This is my journal of Ephesians 2:11-22.  God’s word is so complete, and my notes are not.  I know the next time I go through these verses that I will notice something new.  I’m reading from the New American Standard Bible and am using the lexicon from blueletterbible.org.  The link is above.  Paul wrote this to the church in Ephesus while he was in prison.

vs.11,12–Paul is talking to the Gentiles.  He’s saying, remember how the Jews who were circumcised by hands to signify their special place with God… how they called you the “Uncircumcision” because you were not part of the covenant God had with Israel.

no covenant promise=no saving relationship with God=no hope

vs. 13– But the good news Paul has to preach is that even though the Gentiles used to be apart from God, because of Christ’s blood shed for them they are brought to God.

vs. 14-16–Jesus became our peace.  He fulfilled the law and removed the emnity (discord/opposition) between Jew and Gentile and between sinners and God.  He brought all together to God as one new man through the cross.  (when they believed in Christ)

vs. 17– “And He came and preached peace to you who were far way, and peace to those who were near;”

vs.18– and so through Christ we have access to Father God in one Spirit (the Holy Spirit who we receive upon salvation).

vs. 19–Paul tells them the good news that they aren’t strangers and aliens anymore.  Instead, they are fellow citizens with the saints (the saved!), part of God’s family.

vs. 20–God used the apostles and prophets to reveal this truth which until then had been hidden, so they’d know that Jesus is the corner stone… the foundation of the church

vs. 21– and the whole church is being layed upon that foundation, like a building which Paul likens to a holy temple in the Lord

vs. 22– which we all are being built together as a dwelling place of God.  His Spirit lives in us.

1 Corinthians 3:16  Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 6:15a  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? 

1 Peter 2:4-5 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

---

Dear God,

Thank you for your holy Word, which over and over speaks the truth for us to read.  Please, let it be planted down deep and firm in our hearts that we will never doubt how we are rooted in you, your people, your body, your church.  Let this truth be whole in our understanding, undiluted.  Let your people be set free from insecurities, from the need to perform or try to please any other.  I pray that we’d be fully in love with you, trust your Word…Help us to truly grasp this, and give our hearts faith and freedom to love others more.

Jesus died and abolished emnity caused by sin, and gave us peace with you.  Thank you that we have peace with you.  Thank you that there is NO emnity.  Thank you that your Spirit is in us.  Thank you that we are placed in Christ and being built on Him.  Thank you that you love us unconditionally.  

Let others see how wonderful you are and be drawn to you, God.  I pray for those who don’t know you to know you.  I pray for salvation for those who need you, that they will no longer be “strangers and alients”.  Preach to those near and those afar off:  through your Word, through your Church, through testimony, yes?  Through word and deed.  And I pray for restoration for those who have wandered.  You know each one’s heart, God.  Your Word teaches it is never too late for the living to surrender to you. As long as we draw breath, we can draw close to you.  

All glory and honor and praise belong to you, God.  In Jesus name, Amen

My daughter, Lilly is learning to play this song on her guitar.  I hear it playing when it’s not being played, she has practiced it so often.  It’s so appropriate today.