Nearly Far

Ephesians 2: 11-13 (11) Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands—(12) remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded 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 formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Do you feel that you are near to God or far from God? If you feel that you are doing the right thing in studying, going to church, trying to live Gods plan for your life then you should feel close. Shouldn’t you? On the other hand, one might feel that they are far from God, though being a believer, trusting Christ, knowing of eternal life and your place in the family of God, but your weaknesses, failings in your spiritual life, or your attitude is that you may feel far off. If you feel nearer to God, you may be further than thought and if you feel further, you may be nearer than you might think.

What Paul wrote in verses 11-12 described the state of the Gentiles to the Jews. Imagine the sad feeling being of the “uncircumcision” (Gentile) a reference given by the “Circumcision” (Israel or as a whole the Jewish nation.) It is a sad depiction of what someone other than a Jew had to deal with.

Paul writes that the uncircumcision (Gentiles) where without four things:

1. “separate from Christ” no promise of the coming savior, no understanding of a savior
2. “excluded (alienated) from the commonwealth (citizenship) of Israel” never having that chance of being a citizen of Israel or never being a Jew (Gods chosen)
3. “strangers to the covenants of promise” Simply put; the agreements between God and man.
4. “no hope and without God in the world” alienation, ignorance, no hope with God

Could you imagine the people that went to Israel to worship and what they had to deal with? A wall of separation, physically and spiritually from the Jews, not only at the temple but the rest of the world. To be outside that wall and the feeling of separation one could only hope to have just a little piece of what the Jews had. As far as we have come from those times and as much we have learned about how we are to live like Christ, the church (body of Christ; Christians), have fallen into the same legalistic mentality the Jews had. We have made the idea that we are chosen, a select people near to God with our legalistic rules and regulations, better than attitude, and systems of religion, that if your not part of it then you don’t measure up. We have alienated the non-believers and the spiritually failing believers, as did the Jews thousands of years ago.

James 4:6-8 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Let's review some of the parables of the Jesus.

Luke 15: 11-32 (paraphrased) One son stays home and works with his Father and the other goes and squanders the estate but finally he returns to the Father who accepts him back with joy. Which of these are you? Are you far or near?

Matt. 20: 1-16 (paraphrased) the landowner hires workers, throughout the day some worked some part of the day and some didn’t work but the last hour. The owner paid the workers from last to first. They all got the same pay at the end. Some got mad because others didn’t deserve the same pay because they didn’t do as much but the owner paid the same. Vs. 16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last." Which of these are you? Are you far or near?

Matt. 18: 12-13 (paraphrased) The story of the lost sheep. A shepherd has hundred sheep and looses one. He leaves the ninety-nine somewhere safe and goes to look for the one that was lost. When he finds it, he “rejoices over it MORE than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.” The parable of the sheep in Luke 15: 7 “I tell you that in the same way, there will be MORE joy in heaven over one sinner who repents then over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

What does this tell us? Not only does it tell us of the unbeliever becoming a believer but also if a members of Gods family has wandered away, comes to the point of repentance (change of mind; Strong’s Grk.) and back to God in humility. “He gives greater grace”-“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:6.

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. We are no longer far off but we have been brought near. We have a position with God who cherishes us and gives provisions by grace. “In Christ Jesus” the barrier (wall) that separated the state of the Jews has been torn down. There is nothing that will separate us anymore. John 19:30 Jesus said, (tetelestai) “It is finished”

God has given not one human being higher position than the other. We all have equal provisions in grace. We are all children equally in the family of God. If those who have felt far from God would stop to consider the need to change your mind (repentance) and in doing so take what the word of God teaches us that through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross you have been brought near by His blood. For those who say they are near, it is about our duties of discipleship. Do not take Gods privileges for granted and when we see a believer return we must rejoice with them so we to are not far off.