#1423. But now in Christ Jesus (5/1/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we resume our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

Today, as we begin looking our reflections in Ephesians 2:11-22, we see:

Rehearsing the ‘but now’ - the grace of God toward us - is a vital practice for spiritual health. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below: 

1. Let’s regularly recall our spiritual condition without Jesus

Memories are powerful. A song, a smell, a place, or a season can suddenly take us back to another time. Some memories often come unbidden, however, we can choose to recall better memories -  those that strengthen and steady us.

Paul urges the Ephesian believers to remember their past - not to wallow in guilt, but to magnify God’s grace. They were once far away, but God has brought them near through Christ. In the same way, we must rehearse our own story of salvation on a daily basis: who we were, what Christ has done, and how secure we now are in Him.

Paul describes the Ephesian believers’ ‘BC’ (before Christ) condition:

• Gentiles by birth

• Uncircumcised

• Separate from Christ

• Excluded from citizenship in Israel

• Foreigners to the covenants of promise.

• without hope and without God in the world.

Most of the Christians Paul is addressing were Gentiles - non-Jews. That meant they were outside of God’s covenant people and cut off from the promises He had given.

The gospel came first to the Jews, but God’s plan was always that it would spread to the nations. Paul reminds them that in Christ they have been brought into those promises - they now belong to God’s holy people.

The Jewish Messiah has become their Saviour. The promises of blessing, and the call to be a blessing, are now theirs in Him.

Paul’s point is clear: remember what you once were so that you can rejoice in what God has made you now. Nothing kills joy like entitlement, but nothing inflames joy like grace.

2. Celebrate the ‘but now’ of God

Into that bleak reality comes the most beautiful phrase: ‘But now in Christ Jesus…’ Everything has changed. By His blood we have been brought near - loved, forgiven, adopted, and secure.

Daily life often throws unwanted memories at us - mistakes, regrets, wounds. But Christians are called to counter those with intentional remembrance: the “but now” of God’s grace. Even our darkest failures can become fuel for praise, because they highlight the depth of God’s love and the greatness of His mercy.

I’m told that ‘active recall’ is the most effective way to strengthen memory. Instead of just re-reading, you intentionally test yourself by recalling what you’ve learned and saying it from memory. This process strengthens the brain’s pathways and fixes the information more deeply. In the same way, actively recalling our salvation - speaking it, praying it, and rehearsing it - trains our hearts to ruminate on truth. Over time, the goodness of God becomes not just something we know, but something we live in.

Response

Why is it vital that we keep rehearsing the ‘but now’ of God’s salvation? Because:

• It glorifies God when we honour His grace and remember how far He has brought us.

• It protects us from regret and despair, as we see that the measure of our sin is now the measure of His love for us.

So today, pause and remember: where you were, and where you are now, in Christ. Let the ‘but now’ of the gospel fuel your praise.

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

2. Icebreaker

What about the Christmas period and New Year has inspired you in your faith? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

This week, we resume our Ephesians series: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Our message on Sunday from Ephesians 2:11-22, was entitled: The Foundation for a New Year, The Foundation of Life. 

Please ensure that everyone knows about, and knows how to access our daily devotions on the church website or other platforms. 

https://www.communitychurchputney.com/biblestudy

Please read Ephesians 2:11-22 and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?

• As you go into the New Year, what are the many ways that we can build our lives and church on the 'Cornerstone', and how, personally, do you intend to do this in the New Year? 

• How does Jesus unite and bring peace to different kinds of people and how will this be seen in our community life?

• v. 19-21 - What is God building us into and how will this affect our church, particularly, our devotion to meeting and praying together? 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• What from these verses inspires or informs you in mission? 

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.