Nov 20 Devotion: Made Nigh

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

         A saving relationship with Jesus Christ brings us to a place where we have never been before. We were separated by sin but now in Christ, we are “made nigh”. That is a phrase that means to be close, not only in proximity but also in purpose. There is now a relationship where before there was none. It is a family intimacy that was once an adversarial position of opposition. We now have a spiritual fellowship that is so sweet and so amazing. We have access to the “throne of grace” where we can “find grace to help in time of need”. (Hebrews 4:16)

         How is this possible? The verse tells us that it is “by the blood of Christ”. The payment for sin that Christ made by the shedding of his blood overcame the obstacles that kept man separated from God. Sin is a separator. It puts up a wall that will not allow us to come together. I heard this illustration years ago concerning this wall. The wall of sin is too high to climb over, too deep to dig under, too wide to run around, and too thick to bore through. There was no way for man to ever get on the other side of that wall where God is, so God put a door in the wall and that door is Jesus Christ. That door of access was made possible by the blood of the Lamb. There is a way to the other side and Jesus is the way. Because of Christ, we now can be “made nigh”.  

         Since there is a door where before there was no way, what are we doing about that access? Are we taking advantage of this “living way” (Hebrews 10:20) that Christ has made available for us? Are we seeking him, communing with him, worshiping him, and fellowshipping with him, since the way has been made for this to be possible? Since God made the way, he certainly wants us to make full use of the way. Don’t let any opportunities pass you by to get as close (“nigh”) to God as you can because in Christ, you now can.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

In Christ's Service,

Bro. Adrian Moore

2 Cor. 4:5