Ephesians 2 is packed with so much of what the Gospels are about. Paul reminds us in his letter to Ephesus, that we were once tainted with wickedness and sin. However, in doing this Paul also brings everyone on the same level. We have all fallen short and have all lived in the passions of our flesh. But then comes the bigger picture. God, because of his love and mercy, made us whole again. His grace has allowed us to share in his riches and be witness to his immeasurable love. Verses 8 and 9 are probably the most familiar part of this chapter. I mean I even remember memorizing in the car as a child… “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This verse is often argued and disputed over the ideas of works and faith and how the two should be together. I think this takes away from the true meaning of these verses. The true meaning is that God, high and mighty God, loves us no matter what. This is amazing news. God, the creator of the universe, loves me and knows who I am!
The second part of this chapter seems to be in the shadow of the first but there is significant truth to be found here as well. At the very end of the chapter Paul writes, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” This points me to reflection of our church body. Jesus is the cornerstone. That is pretty clear. What may seem more vague is that we, the church, are all of the other stones making up the rest of the temple. Paul is an amazing writer. He graciously humbles everyone by saying we all struggle. No one is greater than another. Then he points us back to God’s love and mercy. And if we didn’t understand that he gives us an analogy of a temple with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone to our salvation…. Mind Blown! After all of that I think what we need to do is say thank you God and live out the gospel to those around us.