October 17, 2015

"Don't forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called "uncircumcised heathens" by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts."
Ephesians 2:11 NLT

This is part of a running commentary of the book of Ephesians.

Paul clearly speaks to his Gentile readers in reminding them how they appeared to the self-righteous Jew. The Jew thought they were the "chosen ones" implying that everyone else was of little or no interest to God. And most Gentiles knew that's how the Jews thought of them. However, Paul wants the Gentiles to know that the Jew was trusting in a ritual (circumcision) which did little for the recipient if their heart wasn't changed. He is obviously leading up to an important point he will make shortly. Whether Jew or Gentile, we were all on the "outside" when it came to a relationship with God. And what Paul just said in verses 8 and 9 shows that we could never get right with God without God saving us by His amazing grace.
Now let's say something here that is very important: sometimes even Christians can act self-righteous and make the unbeliever think they are rejected by God because they are sinners. Oh how we need to show those who aren't yet saved that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" 1 Timothy 1:15. Let's remember the words of an old Gospel song, "I'm only a sinner, saved by grace."
Pastor Eckardt