Living Debt Free

But now in Christ Jesus…Ephesians 2:13

Verse 12: at that time, you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in the world…Verse 13: but now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Later, in chapter 4, Paul will explain our part in God’s great redemptive plan. Our part is to “put off the old man (verse 22) and “put on the new man” (verse 24). We do this by being renewed in the spirit of our mind (verse 23). 

At our new birth we were made completely new, 2 Corinthians 5:17: all things have become new. This change was inside not outside. Our old self was crucified with Christ, Galatians 2:20. Our new self is alive in Christ, Colossians 2:12. This spiritual renewal was complete. Our new birth in Christ was not a remodel, a make-over, a cover-up. The blood of Jesus did not blind God from our sins. His blood justified us, Romans 5:9. 

Without Christ we were without hope; that was then; not now. Without Christ we were aliens and strangers; that was before; not today. Without Christ we were sinners destined for destruction; that was long ago; not any more. Now we are saints destined for heaven. Our debt has been paid by Jesus.

Before when we sinned, it was who we were: sinners. Now when we sin, it is out of character of our new identity in Christ. Therefore, now we are able to complete the work God destined for us, Ephesians 2:10. It all fits together. Before we were slaves of sin. Not anymore. Now we are free. We are free to serve the Lord our God in the name of our Savior Jesus by the power of God the Spirit!