“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. In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:11-13 (NLT)
It is easy to forget where we are in our own personal lives because of mercy. It is much easier to forget the history of redemption that turned from one nation to all nations, from one ethnic group to all ethnic groups, from Jews to include Gentiles. Now we are also included as citizens of Israel. We who had no hope now have hope. All of this comes about because of our union with Christ, the promised Messiah, and the Lord of all the earth. By His blood we have been brought near. Rejoice! We are included in the covenant promises!
