We are One in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22)
It was supposed to be a religious country, with almost 90 percent of the population saying they are Christian. Yet for 100 dark days in 1994, the whole of Rwanda descended into hell. The majority Hutus killed large numbers of the Tutsi minority. Fuelled by ethnic hatred, neighbour turned on neighbour. By the time the murderous madness was over, some 800,000 had perished in the genocide. How did this happen in a supposedly “Christian” country? The reasons are many and complex. But one thing is clear: Many who claimed to be Christian did not live as Christians. Prejudice and politics tore the country apart. One church leader said, “The blood of tribalism ran deeper than the waters of baptism.”
We live in a divided world. Walls of separation stand between countries and within countries. Barriers such as race, ethnicity, language, politics, class, and culture exist everywhere. Fear and discrimination fester in prejudice. Schools and workplaces turn toxic due to injustice and abuse. Families collapse in conflict. Relationships are estranged by selfishness. Can there be true unity in a broken world? This was a real question for the church in Ephesus, made up of two very different groups that did not tend to get along. On the one hand, there were Jewish Christians who came from a religious background. On the other, there were Gentile Christians who used to be pagans. The Ephesian church had the ingredients for a potential split.
Perhaps it would have been better to start two separate churches — one for Jews and one for Gentiles. Wouldn’t church life be easier if everyone else was like us? Surely, we’d get along better if we were more alike. We tend to think uniformity promotes unity. We gravitate towards others who are like us. Entire churches are built on similarities, with groups and ministries organised by age, life stage, marital status, culture, profession or special interests. For example, some churches have separate services for young people. Some have different services for different musical tastes, whether contemporary songs or traditional hymns. But is uniformity the way to true unity? Is there a place in our relationships for those who differ from us or who disagree with us? If we love only those who are like us, then is our unity really distinct from the world’s?
Christ has reconciled us to God, making us one new people.
True, biblical unity is not uniformity. What stands out in the New Testament is that there aren’t separate churches for Jews and Gentiles. Instead, both Jews and Gentiles are brought together in one church. How can former enemies be united? What is impossible with man is possible with God. True unity is a supernatural, divine work. For God, our differences are not obstacles but his opportunity to show the power of the gospel. In our passage, Paul wants us to see how God’s glorious grace creates true unity. This is the big idea: Christ has reconciled us to God, making us one new people.
This passage has three parts that touch on our past plight, what Jesus has done for us, and our present identity in Christ. We’ll go through the passage in three points: (1) Once, we did not belong; (2) But Christ has made us one; (3) Now, we belong to God.
Once, we did not belong (Eph 2:11-12)
Against the dark backdrop of our sin, the glories of God’s grace shines even brighter.
Ephesians 2:11 opens with the word “therefore”, which connects our passage with Ephesians 2:1-10. As we heard last week, we were once dead in sins. We lived for the world and followed its ways. Due to our disobedience, we faced God’s wrath. Being spiritually dead, we could not save ourselves. But against the dark backdrop of our sin, the glories of God’s grace shines even brighter. Therefore, because we have been saved by grace alone, remember what we have been rescued from. In Ephesians 1-3, this is the only command: remember. Forgetfulness makes us ungrateful. We fail to be thankful when we fail to remember. To appreciate the heights of God’s grace, remember the depths of our sin. The one who has been forgiven much will love much. Paul prompts us to praise by reminding us of what we once were.
These verses are addressed to Gentiles (non-Jews) like us. Paul calls his readers Gentiles in the flesh because they have not been physically circumcised. Because of this, the Jews despised the Gentiles. One Jewish writer of that time warned against associating with “worthless (Gentiles)”, which would “infect one with perversions”. Taking pride in their religious status, the Jews saw themselves as the circumcision. They disparaged the Gentiles, referring to them insultingly as “the uncircumcision”. It meant, “Go away. You are unclean and don’t belong with us.” Have you ever felt ostracised, marginalised, isolated, and alone? Well, this is even worse. To the Jews, the Gentiles were like a corrupting disease to be avoided.
Our problem as Gentiles is not just social; it is spiritual. At one time, apart from God’s grace, we did not belong to the people of God. Ephesians 2:1 described our problem as spiritual death; Ephesians 2:12 describes our problem as spiritual alienation. Paul highlights five aspects of this. We were separated from Christ. The Jews looked forward to the Messiah or the Christ, who will come to save His people. If every spiritual blessing is found only in Christ, then there is no salvation without Him.
We were alienated from the commonwealth of Israel. We have seen news reports of illegal immigrants being arrested and deported. Without citizenship, we have no legal right to any protection or provision. Without Jesus, we had no king and no home among God’s people. We were spiritual refugees without rights and privileges.
We were strangers to the covenants of promise. Throughout the Old Testament, God pledged Himself to His people through covenants, in which He promised to send a Saviour. While we were strangers, we had no claim on any of these promises. We could not look forward to the fulfilment of the promises. Hence, we had no hope — no future salvation and inheritance, only judgement and wrath. We were without God in the world. We worshiped empty and impotent idols, not the true and living God. As one Christian author puts it, we were “Christless, stateless, friendless, hopeless, and Godless”. Once, we did not belong to God. We were outsiders. We did not enjoy God’s provision, protection, promises or presence. We were nobodies with nothing. We were completely alone and helpless. Remember how desperate and dire was our condition without Christ. May it humble us. May it make us thankful to God for His Son.
But Christ has made us one (Eph 2:13-18)
Once, we were dead in sins. But God has made us alive with Christ. Once, we did not belong. But God has made us one in Christ. The two halves of Ephesians 2 are structured in a similar way. Paul moves from our problem to God’s remedy. Our sad spiritual state serves to magnify God’s glorious grace. Not only has God saved us from spiritual death, but he has also rescued us from spiritual separation. Ephesians 2:13-18 focus on what Christ has done to bring us back to God.
Look at Ephesians 2:13. We, Gentiles, were once far off. We were far from God and far from His people. But in Christ Jesus, we have been brought near. How do we get into Christ? We must be united to Him by faith. We must repent of our sins and believe in Jesus. Trust in Him alone to be our Lord and Saviour. We are brought near by the blood of Christ. This refers to Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross for sinners. Our sins separate us from God, who is holy. The unholy cannot come to the Holy. Because we have turned away from God, we deserve his condemnation and wrath. But Jesus took the place of all who would believe in Him. He bore God’s judgement for us. He laid down His life, so that sinners like us can be forgiven and made right with God.
Before, Gentiles had no peace with God. Neither did Jews and Gentiles have peace with one another. We were doubly alienated — vertically and horizontally. So, we need to be doubly reconciled — with God, and with one another. Only Jesus can do this. Look at Ephesians 2:14: For He Himself is our peace. Notice how the personal pronoun changes from “you” (Eph 2:13) to “our”. Paul, speaking as a Jew, includes himself. Jesus brings peace between Jews and Gentiles. In fact, He does not just bring peace; He Himself is peace. Only in Christ do we have true peace.
These are amazing words, coming from Paul, a former Pharisee. He, of all Jews, would want to avoid Gentiles. But now, because the scales have fallen from his eyes, Paul sees that God’s purpose all along is to unite Jews and Gentiles through the gospel. In fact, this is a part of God’s grand plan to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth (Eph 1:9-10). A reconciled people is at the heart of God’s plan to reconcile all of creation. The church is to be a people of peace. So, pray for the peace of the church. Pursue peace with one another. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons and daughters of God.
What did Jesus do to bring peace? Look at Ephesians 2:14-15. He has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances. In the Jerusalem temple, there was a wall separating Gentiles from the areas where only Jews could enter. But here, Paul is probably referring to a metaphorical wall, not the physical one. The Old Covenant law divided Jews from Gentiles. Specifically, the restrictions on observing certain holy days, circumcision, and the food laws kept both groups apart. For example, if a friend’s religion restricts his diet, you cannot enjoy a meal together unless you eat at certain places. In Singapore, we understand the importance of food for fellowship. So, it is alienating when Jews and Gentiles cannot eat together.
But Jesus has broken down the wall by abolishing the law. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains what this means. He did not come to overturn the law, but to fulfil it. The law’s commands and ordinances were designed to maintain the holiness of God’s people under the Old Covenant. But Jesus has made us holy, fulfilling in his flesh what the law demands. Therefore, Gentiles who are holy in Christ no longer need to be separated from Jews.
Indeed, Jesus’ purpose is to create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace. The first Adam disobeyed God and took all of us down with Him. But Jesus, who is the true and better Adam, perfectly obeyed. In Christ, God is creating a new humanity made anew in the image of his Son. This new humanity is one, made up of both Jews and Gentiles united in Christ. Sin scatters and divides, but Jesus gathers and unites. He has removed the hostility between different groups of people. What separates us from another? Are we harbouring unforgiveness, hurt, resentment or bitterness towards a brother or sister? Bring this to Jesus, who has made peace between us. Ask Jesus to help us seek forgiveness, to forgive, and to be reconciled. Do so before we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Do not bring any grudges to the table.
Our diversity is an opportunity to display Christ’s love.
This is why there are no separate churches for Jews and Gentles in the New Testament. The were only churches for Jews and Gentiles together. Was this more challenging socially and culturally? Definitely. So, why plant Jew-Gentile churches? It is because such churches show how we are united in Christ alone, not the gospel plus other similarities, such as ethnicity or culture. Beloved, we are different in many ways — we have different backgrounds, personalities, preferences, opinions, even convictions. But when we persevere in patient love for one another despite our differences, we show Jesus’ power to make us one. Our diversity is an opportunity to display Christ’s love. When we love those who are difficult or different from us, it reveals the gospel. Such unity is not man-made; it is only possible because of what Christ has done.
This unity is founded on a shared salvation in Christ. As I mentioned earlier, we need to be doubly reconciled because we are doubly alienated. Therefore, Jesus’ purpose is not only to bring Jews and Gentiles together but it is also to bring both Jews and Gentiles back to God. Look at Ephesians 2:16-17: “And might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.” For there to be horizontal peace between us, there must be vertical peace between us and God. Notice how both Jews and Gentiles need to be reconciled to God. For all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. There is none righteous, neither the Jews, who were near to the things of God, nor the Gentiles who were far off. Regardless of whether we have been moral or immoral, religious or irreligious, we all need Jesus to save us.
Pride and self-righteousness destroy unity. As long as we think we are better than another, we will not truly welcome one another. We will make comparisons and draw distinctions. We will despise those who disagree. We will be judgemental, harsh and critical of others. We will be quick to take offence, and to assume the worst of others. Only the gospel can get rid of our pride and self-righteousness. Remember what we have been saved from and how we have been saved. All of us were dead in sins. All of us were separated from God. How, then, can we look down on one another? We are all saved by grace alone, not by our works. God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus, if we trust in Him alone for salvation. At the cross, Jesus killed the hostility by being killed Himself. He suffered and died for undeserving sinners, that we might have peace. Our salvation is a gift from God, so no one may boast. The gospel humbles us.
Jesus has opened up the way for both Jews and Gentiles to come to God. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father (Eph 2:18). In Christ, we are truly one and equal. There are no second-class citizens in God’s kingdom. We can all approach God with boldness, regardless of our differences. As we just sung, “With confidence I now draw nigh/ And “Father, Abba, Father”, cry.”
If we are in the Son, we have confidence to come to the Father in the Spirit. This is a wonderfully Trinitarian verse that speaks of how each Person of the Trinity is ours and for us. We worship one God in three Persons — one Father, one Son, and one Spirit. We are fellow members of the one body (Eph 2:16).
This is true unity. We cannot create it; it is a gift from God through the gospel. Our job is to maintain this God-given unity by joining a gospel-preaching church where we can live with other Christians in love, humility, gentleness and patience. Be generous and hospitable, especially towards strangers. Intentionally reach out to those who are different from us. Welcome others as God has welcomed us in Christ. Because Jesus has made us one, we belong to God and to one another. In Christ, our community is both deep and wide. The church testifies to the power of the gospel. May God help us to be a community that is compelling to outsiders because of our love for one another.
Now, we belong to God (Eph 2:19-22)
Once, we did not belong. But Christ has made us one. Now, we belong to God. But these glorious truths may not be our experience of church. Sadly, the church is no stranger to conflict and division. Some of us have broken relationships with others in the church. We have hurt or have been hurt by others. We frequently fail to live as one church. Like the Rwandans, who allowed prejudice to eclipse their Christianity, we also treat one another in worldly ways when we forget who we are in Christ.
Our passage began with the command to remember what we were saved from. The passage closes with Paul reminding us of who we now are, in light of what Christ has done. We ought to know and live according to our new identity. We tend to think of our identity individualistically, but our identity as God’s people is fundamentally corporate. So, think “we”, not “me”. We are to live out this identity as members of a local church with other Christians. Verses 19-22 highlight three aspects of our identity: The church is a new nation, a new family, and a new temple.
Firstly, we are a new nation. See Ephesians 2:19a — So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints. No longer are we spiritual refugees, for we have citizenship among God’s people. This is not an earthly kingdom, but a spiritual kingdom consisting of all who follow King Jesus. Beloved, we have a King who loves us and who has laid down his life for us. We can rest in his provision and protection. We have an eternal kingdom to look forward to. King Jesus will return to take us home to be with him forever. So, don’t live as though this world and this life are our permanent home. “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. (Phil 3:20)”
In Christ, we are God’s holy ones — saints. Notice how Paul spoke in Ephesians 2:11 of “the circumcision...made in the flesh by hands”. His point is that what truly matters is not man-made, physical circumcision, but God-given, spiritual circumcision. To truly belong to God, physical circumcision will not cut it. What we need is a new heart — to be changed from the inside-out. We need to be converted — for Jesus to make us spiritually alive by the Spirit. As Romans 2:28-29 says, “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.” Thanks to Jesus, our sins have been forgiven. God has declared us righteous. Our status has changed from sinner to saint. So, be holy for we are holy.
Secondly, we are a new family. Look at the second half of Ephesians 2:19: Members of the household of God. We have one Heavenly Father, which means we are beloved children and spiritual brothers and sisters. Therefore, love one another as members of one spiritual family. For this reason, we have a members’ covenant to summarise our biblical responsibilities towards the church and one another. Beloved, we are not consumers who show up to be served. We are family members who serve one another for the gospel’s sake. This shapes our understanding of church membership. Be present regularly at family gatherings. Commit to know and care for one another, being especially concerned about the spiritual wellbeing of our brothers and sisters.
Jesus Christ is the church’s one foundation.
This family is founded upon God’s revelation. In Ephesians 2:20, Paul switches to construction imagery: Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone. What holds this family together is Christ and our shared faith in Him. We are together because we have Christ in common. This explains how Jews and Gentiles can be members of one church. How are we building our relationships with one another on Christ? Are we simply socialising, or actively encouraging one another to grow in Christ? Think about it: Will our relationships with one another still be the same without Jesus? If yes, then it means other things are bringing us together, not Christ. But Jesus Christ is the church’s one foundation. He is the cornerstone on which everything depends. Without him, everything falls apart.
Therefore, our unity is grounded in God’s truth, particularly the truth of the gospel. This gospel, which was promised beforehand in the Old Testament, has now been revealed with the coming of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. The church is built on the testimony of the apostles and prophets of the New Testament, who bear witness to Christ. True unity is always in the truth, never by compromising the truth.
Thirdly, we are a new temple. Look at Ephesians 2:21-22. In Christ, the church being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Christ, we also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Our union with Christ also unites us with one another as one temple. We are like spiritual Lego. One brick cannot do very much, but together we are being built up as God’s temple. The temple is holy because the holy God is pleased to dwell with us by his Spirit. The prophet Haggai spoke of a more glorious temple. His words have been fulfilled in Christ, who is building a new temple with himself as the cornerstone. This new temple is not a building but a redeemed people, made holy in the Lord. Just as God’s glory filled the tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament, so we have been filled with God’s greater glory. We have been filled by Christ, in whom the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. Beloved, consider how great is our calling as the church. The church is God’s address in the world. It is where He dwells by the Sprit. We, as the church, have the privilege of portraying God’s presence to the world. May our life together reflect his goodness and grace!
This temple is still growing. And each of us, as fellow members of Christ’s body, has a part to play. We grow together by being joined and built together. So, repent of selfishness and self-centredness. Put away pride. Do not isolate yourself from church community. Just as a severed hand or foot cannot live on its own, so you will not thrive apart from the body of Christ. Be eager to maintain the unity of the Sprit in the bond of peace. Be a faithful church member. Speak God’s truth in love to one another, so that we grow up together into Christ, our Head.
Rosalia lost many members of her family during the genocide in Rwanda. Her husband and four children were murdered right before her eyes. A man named Nemeye had killed Rosalia’s sister. While in prison, Nemeye heard the gospel. Repenting of his sins and believing in Jesus to save him, he found forgiveness in Christ. After Nemeye served his sentence, he was invited to live next door to Rosalia in an effort to encourage reconciliation between perpetrators and their victims. At first, this was incredibly difficult for Rosalia. But she kept reminding herself of the truths of the gospel. Sometime later, Rosalia forgave Nemeye. They were reconciled. She said: “Years have passed, and my faith and resilience have been tested time and time again. But through it all, I never lost sight of the truth that God's love was greater than any pain I had endured.”
Beloved, this is the glory of the gospel that we, as one church, are to display. The love and forgiveness we are called to show are beyond us. But what is impossible with man is possible in Christ. Once, we did not belong, but Christ has made us one. We belong to God as one church. So, let’s live as one church in Christ. He is our peace.