Ephesians 2:11-22 [+/-]Ephesians 2:11-22
[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. [14]For he himself is our peace, who has made us
both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall
of hostility [15]by abolishing the law of commandments
expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself
one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16]and
might reconcile us both to God in one body through the
cross, thereby killing the hostility. [17]And he came and
preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those
who were near. [18]For through him we both have access in
one Spirit to the Father. [19]So then you are no longer
strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the
saints and members of the household of God, [20]built on
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus
himself being the cornerstone, [21]in whom the whole
structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple
in the Lord. [22]In him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (ESV)
What is it that constitutes the core values of your life? Where would you say is the essence of your identity? Is it ethnic/racial, national, cultural, denominational, theological – OR is the essence of your identity found “in Christ.”
