Ephesians 2:11-13 (NKJV)
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Did you know that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are an Israeli? Your origin may be from another region of the world, but
if you have been born again, you have been adopted as a child of God through Jesus Christ, and you are an Israeli – a spiritual Jew. This is exactly what
the scripture in Ephesians 2:11-13 says. Jesus also states the same thing in John 15:5 where He said, He is the vine and we are the branches. But what benefit
does this have to offer us?
Prior to the recreation of our spirits, we were gentiles without God and without hope in this world.
Ephesians 2:12 (NIV)
“…you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.”
Think about how pitiful our status was prior to Jesus. Think about how you did not know the peace which passes understanding and the joy like a mighty river. Think
about how much you were in bondage to the elements of this world – lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life. Now, however, since you have surrendered
your heart to Jesus, you are a part of His Vine. You are a citizen of the Israel of God. You are a citizen of the covenant and a citizen of heaven. You have hope
and God in this world. You are no longer a stranger to the things of God. You are now a citizen of heaven! All of this means that you stand eligible to all the
promises that God offers His people on this side of eternity and in the life to come. You have access to the peace which passes understanding. You have access to
the joy of the presence of the Lord. You have access to the nature and life of God that enables you to have godly conducts, and no weapon forged against you shall
prosper.Therefore, live like you are a child of the Most High God. Renew your mind to see yourself as the child of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Exercise
faith in the promises of God, and throw aside any syndrome of sin and weight which the devil might have dogged your steps with in the past. God believes in you and
so do we.
Please reference additional scriptures below to renew your mind in this regard, and access resources on
www.heroesmart.com
to feed your spirit and grow your faith in Christ Jesus.
Relevant Scriptures:
Ephesians 2:12 (NIV)
“…you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now
in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
John 15:5 (NIV)
“I am the vine; you are the branches…”
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.”
John 14:27 (NIV)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Isaiah 54:14 (NIV)
“In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
And from terror, for it shall not come near you.”
Romans 11:17 (NIV)
“…and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in … became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree…”
Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
“…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
