11 Therefore remember, that you who Gentiles by birth (in the flesh), who are called "Uncircumcision" by that which is called "the Circumcision" [that done in the body by the hands of men (in the flesh made by hands)]; 12 That at that time you were separate from Christ, being aliens 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 are made near by the blood of Christ.

{Our Story Thus Far: God's grand plan to display His glory in blessing believers reverses the effects of the Fall so that we can be formed into a temple/body which His glory can inhabit. God's saving work brings believers into a blessing filled relationship with Him and each other, in which all possible grounds for disharmony and disunity are removed.}

De 30:6 God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Ro 2:29 ...he is a Jew, who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God. Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Php 3:3 For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Brought into Brotherhood (union) with Christ {~Separate from Christ}

                Our independence from our Creator caused a separation punishable by death (Isa 59:2)

                Jesus died so we don't have to, and restored the relationship (2 Cor 5:21)

                Christ shares all the benefits he received with those in union with Him (Heb 3:6&14; Rom 8:17)

                We participate in a perfect family relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 3:16)

Live in the Promised Land {~Aliens to the commonwealth of Israel}

                God provides, protects, directs, delights and shares the wealth

                Part of something that God has a vested interest in making work

Overwhelmed, Undergirded, and Indwelt by God {~Strangers to the covenants of promise}

                Be blessed and be a blessing (Abrahamic Covenant - Gen 12)

                Be prospered and exalted for obedience (Palestinian Covenant - Deut 28-30)

                Be the preeminent nation, freed from oppression (Davidic Covenant - 2 Sam 7)

                Be indwell by the Spirit of God and freed from sin - (New Covenant - Jer 31:31; Ezk 11:19)

Optimistic Outlook for Present and Future {~Hopeless}

                Hope - present endurance inflamed by the prospect of a precious payoff (Heb 12)

                Trials, testings and difficulties have meaning and benefit (Rom 8:28; 5:3; Heb 6:10-12; Js 1:2-4)

Daily Divine Relationship {~Without God in the world}

                Abiding, fruitful, fulfilling intimacy with the Author and Sustainer of Life (John 15:7)

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Which of the above blessings currently has the greatest significance to you?

2. How has your perception of and participation in these blessings changed in the course of your pilgrimage?

3. Why do those who have been "brought near" sometimes act like they're still "far off"?

4. Why is it helpful to remember "the way we were"? What happens if we don't remember?

5. What keeps us from fully entering into or experiencing the benefits/blessings?