Ephesians 2:11–13 (ESV) – 11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to 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.

The Apostle Paul wrote to his Gentile (non-Jewish) readers to remind them that the were accepted by God, not because they earned it in some way, but because of what Christ had done for them. Gentiles, who were separated from God by their sin and outside of the covenant promises of the Mosaic Law, were now accepted by God through the blood of Christ. Jesus had died as a sacrifice for all and all who believe in him are reconciled to God.

The truth of theses words is just as important for us today as they were for the original audience. We are reconciled to God through the blood of Christ. There is no other way. This truth brings us to a right relationship with God and it also brings us to a right relationship with each other because we are all equals. None of us is more deserving of God’s salvation than any other. This equality will be Paul’s focus in the next verses.

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