Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION
11  Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—  12  that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:11-13

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. Remembering

a) The Past must not be forgotten!
b) There are many lessons that must be recalled for good reasons!

2. The word “Gentiles”

a) Literal meaning of the word “Gentiles”

i) Other nations outside Jews
ii) The Jews identified and distinguished themselves from other nations
iii) They call others by this general term, “Gentiles”

b) Symbolic meaning

i) Those who do not know God
ii) Those who are alienated from God
iii) Those who have yet to repent and turn to God for salvation

3. A candid study of the spiritual state of the Gentiles
Six Features were candidly stated:

a) The Uncircumcised

b) Aliens from the commonwealth of Christ
c) Strangers from the covenants of promise
d) Having no hope
e) Without God in the world
f) Far off

4. The significance of the role of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Notwithstanding these Six Features
b) All Gentiles may receive salvation as Israel

5. One Feature singled out for mention!

a) Brought near to God
b) This is possible only through the Lord Jesus Christ
c) But He had to give His life and shed His blood for us on the Cross to enable us to draw near to God!

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. Do not take the following for granted:

a) Our salvation
b) The Lord Jesus Christ and His suffering on the Cross for our sins

2. Treasure our relationship with God

a) We may have a close relationship with God
b) Let us seek to walk closely with the Lord in our new-found relationship

Let us practise remembering what God has done in giving us salvation in Christ Jesus!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan