Reconciled to & Through Christ
The vertical peace that brings horizontal peace
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:13 (ESV)
In Ephesians 2:1–10, Paul teaches us how we can have peace with God. We all begin life dead in sins, but God loved us enough to send his Son to die for our sins. Even though we were dead in sins, he made us alive with Christ, raised us up with him, and seated us with Jesus in heavenly places. These blessings belong to those who accept God's free gift of grace through faith. Salvation is not earned by works, but it is a gift that transforms those who receive it from the inside out.
Therefore, Paul calls his Gentile readers to remember their former state (Eph. 2:11–13).1 They were apart from God's chosen people, without hope. They were without Christ but have now been brought near by his death.
Christ has made peace (Eph. 2:14–18). We can now have vertical peace with God. Because of that peace with God, we can have horizontal peace with others. The things that once divided us have been destroyed.
We who were once strangers and aliens have been brought near (Eph. 2:19–22). We are now fellow citizens of a new kingdom with the rest of the saints. We are made members of the family of God. We are being built into a holy temple of God.
This passage calls us to remember and reconcile. Those who are saved should remember who they were and thank God for their new identity. They ought to seek unity with other believers. We are one in Christ.
Those who are still far off ought to accept God's free gift of grace. It is not something you earn, but something that is simply received in faith. Trust God for your salvation from sin.
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Soli Deo Gloria,
Caleb Friske
It's interesting to note that this verse contains the first imperative verb in Ephesians. Paul is still addressing the indicatives of the Christian life, talking about who we are. Later, beginning in chapter 4, he will address the imperatives of Christian living, telling us what we ought to do.