Don't Forget...

Ephesians 2:11 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. 

This paragraph in the middle of the chapter is surrounded by two well-known and deeply profound sections of scripture.  The chapter begins with the amazing grace of God, seen in His offering salvation by faith in Christ. After these section Paul talks about the reconciliation that has been made between us and God, and between us an one another.  He then pulls it all together in the picture of the Church united, but a glorious temple with Christ as our Cornerstone.  (Yes, you do need to read the full chapter to get the full effect.)  What the verses above remind us of is our tendency to forget where we have come from. It was a problem with Old Testament Israel, the church at Ephesus, and still is with us today. Remember where you were and what God has done to draw you near to Him.