‘Brought Near’

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13

As the Apostle Paul continues to expound what it means for us to be ‘in Christ,’ he speaks of the transformation of our life as the result of the saving work of Christ.  In our text for today, he speaks of our having been ‘far off’ and now being ‘brought near.’  What caused us to be ‘far off?’  Everything that we were, by birth, by nature, and by choice put us at a distance from God.  If we see ourselves clearly in the light of the Word of God, we recognize that we were ‘dead in trespasses and sins.’  We were, ‘by nature the children of wrath.’  Only the work of the Sovereign Saving God has taken us from being ‘far off’ from God to being ‘brought near.’  Therefore, one of the consequences of being ‘in Christ’ is that we are near to God, Who has done all that is necessary to bring us there.  This causes our heart to overflow with gratitude and our mouth to be filled with thanksgiving.  It is the song of the saints in every age and the theme of eternal worship.  Christ, in purchasing our redemption with His Own Blood has guaranteed that we who were ‘far off’ have been ‘brought near.’  Today, let us spend some time meditating upon this saving work of Christ, which has brought us near to God.

Our Wonder-working God,
we rejoice that through Christ, 
You have done what is necessary,
to bring us near to Your Own Great Self.
We praise You that by the power of Your Holy Spirit,
You will bring us ever nearer,
until we see Christ, face-to-face.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning