Focal Pointe #33

In Christ-Made Alive…In Christ-One

[4] “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-”

(Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV)

I really liked Pastor Shane’s devotional title last week; “In Christ”. As I make my way through the book of Ephesians, I am reminded and encouraged over and over…In Christ. God’s mercy on us flows from his own loving heart, not from anything that we’ve done to deserve it. How encouraging! Christians, rejoice in hope because of God’s incredible grace and free salvation. We’ve been saved! In Christ, we’ve been made alive! And you know what? In Christ, we’ve also been made one; one body of believers. Take a look at another passage from Ephesians and be encouraged.

[18] “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”

(Ephesians 2:18-19 ESV)

We are no longer strangers. We are fellow citizens with the saints! Paul uses words that were common to political life in ancient cities like Ephesus. Strangers were complete foreigners with no rights or privileges, and aliens were non-citizens who dwelt in the city and were accorded only customary privileges as neighbors. Only citizens had full protections and rights in the city. Friends, we have full protections and rights as citizens and members of the household of God. Isn’t it nice to be reminded sometimes? I invite you to join Pastor Shane and me in reading through the book of Ephesians for the remainder of this month. After all, we are alive, and we are one! Let’s be encouraged together!

Have a wonderful week!

Shawn