What does "brought near by the blood of Christ" mean for believers today? The Verse in Focus “ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13) Our Former Distance from God • Outside of Christ, every person is “far away”—separated by sin (Isaiah 59:2). • Gentiles especially were “alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of the promise” (Ephesians 2:12). • No human effort—law-keeping, rituals, good works—could bridge that gap (Romans 3:10-12). The Cost of Nearness: The Blood • “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). • Jesus’ blood is uniquely precious: “redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). • His sacrifice satisfies God’s justice once for all (Hebrews 10:10-14). What “Brought Near” Means Today 1. Personal reconciliation—no hostility remains between God and the believer (Romans 5:10-11). 2. Full access—“We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19-22). 3. New identity—“fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household” (Ephesians 2:19). 4. Peace in place of fear—“He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). 5. Unity across former divisions—Jew and Gentile, every background, now form “one new man” in Christ (Ephesians 2:15-16). Living Out the Nearness • Draw close daily: “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16). • Walk in gratitude—His blood paid the highest price; worship flows naturally (Colossians 3:15-17). • Extend grace to others—since God welcomed us, we welcome one another (Romans 15:7). • Stand firm against condemnation—“There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). • Proclaim the message—invite the “far off” to be reconciled through the same blood (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Supporting Passages • John 14:6—Jesus alone is the way to the Father. • Colossians 1:20-22—peace made “through the blood of His cross.” • Hebrews 13:12—Jesus sanctified the people “through His own blood.” • Revelation 1:5—He “released us from our sins by His blood.” Through the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Christ, every believer stands welcomed, forgiven, and eternally close to God—today and forever. |
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