Brought Near

Brought Near

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

The Jews had come into contact with God; God had given them the Law, and He had made a covenant with them. This covenant also contained promises. The Gentiles were outside all this. But after “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them,” those who were far off were brought near by the blood of Christ. What were they brought near to? We read further that they were brought near to the salvation we read about: namely, the salvation that comes with becoming “one new man” through the cross.

The Jews had not entered into that salvation, though they were close to it and Jesus came to them. But the cross was an offense to them, and for the Gentiles who were far off it was foolishness; but for those among the Jews and the Gentiles who were called—who can hear the calling—the word of the cross is the power of God, and they partake of God’s wisdom. 1 Cor. 1:20-24. This leads them to that oneness—the oneness of the Father and the Son—where everything becomes new: that one new man.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:1-6.

When Abraham received the promise of a son, he was justified because he believed, and he and his wife were given access to the grace to lay the foundation for a new generation.

It is sad to see all the Jews who worship God. They are close to it, but they do not want to humble themselves and accept salvation in Christ Jesus through the cross. They do not come to the point of hating their own life so that they can be Jesus’ disciples. It is also sad to see all the Gentiles who have been brought near by believing in the forgiveness of their sins in the blood of Jesus, but who do not hate their own lives so that the cross can be of use to them and they can be Jesus’ disciples. They have access to the grace to be one new man, but instead of being crucified with Christ and no longer living for themselves, they invite people to the foot of the cross. Gal. 2:20.

Nevertheless, we rejoice not only in the hope of the glory of God, but “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience.” When tribulation produces patience, etc., the cross has done its work with the passions and desires of the flesh. Then one is truly a new man. All those who avail themselves of the grace to which they have access in Christ Jesus become “one new man.” Then the enmity has been abolished. They are built up “on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” They grow up “into a holy temple in the Lord . . . a habitation of God.”