Before we go right down into it, I think it is important to understand our “old realities” outside Christ and what the Bible says about it.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul tried to remind the Ephesian believers of who they are in Christ and their new realities in Christ. Paul wanted every Ephesian to grow in their wisdom and their revelations in the knowledge of God. The Ephesians are Gentiles by birth and are saved by Grace.

Let’s read Ephesians 2:11-13

11Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)— 12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

The fact that most of us believers are Gentiles believers, let’s just picture our self in this scenario. Let’s imagine that Paul was writing this letter to us for we were once Gentiles and saved by Grace. I personally believe that it is important to read Paul writings and get understanding on Grace (remember Grace is not just a “topic”, it is the New Covenant we are under) as Jesus chose Him to be His chosen instrument to spread the Gospel. Acts 9:15 says “15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Before we accepted Christ:

  • We were dead in our transgressions and sins, in which we lived according to the ways of this world and under the Spirit of disobedient. (Ephesians 1:2)
  • We craved sinful natures and followed its desires and thoughts. (Ephesians 1:3)
  • We had no hope for we were separated from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise. (Ephesians 2:12)
  • We were darkness. (Ephesians 5:8)

But guess what? Ephesians 2:4-5 says “4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:13 says that we are “NOW in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“

Let’s now see our New Realities in Christ, for now:

  • We are redeemed and forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7)
  • We are no longer a sinner for we have been made righteous by the blood of Christ.    (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • We are blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
  • Jesus has become our peace. (Ephesians 2:14)
  • We have direct access to the Father for Jesus has destroyed the barrier by abolishing in his flesh the LAW with its commandments and regulations. (Ephesians 2:14-15)
  • We are no longer foreigners and aliens as we were outside Christ but now we are fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. (Ephesians 2:19
  • God dwells in us. (Ephesians 2:22)
  • We are children of light which bears goodness, righteousness, and truth(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth. (Ephesians 5:8)
  • We are without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:27)

What different realities we have in Christ! He gave us these new realities because of His great love and His rich mercy. Amen!

Before I end this, I just want to encourage everyone to keep hearing the Gospel of Grace (for there is no other Gospel as Paul says it in Galatians 1:6 – 6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is really no gospel at all. Make sure you keep hearing the Gospel that reminds you of your new realities in Christ. If you have books that do not produce love, peace, and joy, perhaps you need to consider to not read them anymore or if you are generous, you can just throw them away :)

You may say, I can handle it or I do not think it matters. I hope that is the case… the thing is, what we believe will determine how we act. If you believe that God will bless your finance if you tithe, then you will try your best to give as much as you can for that is what you believe. If you believe that you must not doubt for miracles to happen, then you will do what ever you can to not doubt (I personally believe this is impossible to achieve! Who never doubts?). If you believe that God will smile at you if you “do” it right, then you will do what ever you can in your power to make God smile. Is this not true? See all these examples bring your focus back to your strength instead to Jesus who has done everything on our behalf. So let’s just turn our eyes upon Him for He is perfect.

Let’s read Ephesians 4:14 “14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”

I hope that what is written in Ephesians 4:14 will be so evident in your life because we do not want to be a “confused” Christian who goes from one doctrine to another doctrine.

May His peace be yours in abundance.

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