Living as God’s Peaceful Dwelling (Part 1 of 2)

Recap of Ephesians 2

To recap chapter 2, we have looked at the concept of being spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins. This means having two specific problems: nothing in ourselves that can commend us to God legally—nothing we can present to God that shows we have satisfied the demands of the law—and nothing in ourselves to move us toward God personally. As spiritually dead individuals, we have no desire for God, no idea of the joy of the Lord, no understanding of the benefits of saving grace, and no awareness of anything in the kingdom of God.

But God remedied this by giving us grace, faith, and salvation—all as the gift of God. These three concepts form a singular unit of God's gift.

God's Peaceful Dwelling Place

This evening, we examine what it is like to be God's peaceful dwelling place. This is an amazing concept: God living with us, dwelling within us as His holy sanctuary in each of our lives.

As we compare what it is like to be God's peaceful dwelling with what it is like not to be, we will see wonderful things that benefit our lives. In Ephesians 2:11-22, we see how to have the right motivation, the right foundation, and the right attitude toward living as God's peaceful dwelling place.

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:11-22)

Remembering Exclusion Before Christ

The Apostle Paul explains the theology of what it was like before Christ and what it is like now in Christ, using the terms of being excluded or included. He commands us to remember these things—to keep in mind what it was like prior to becoming a Christian. Even though we have been spiritually saved, we have memories of what we were doing before.

Paul says to remember what it was like when you were excluded. This goes beyond spiritual death: prior to Christ, there is exclusion from God and from others in the body of Christ. If you are not in the Lord tonight—not purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, not believing in Him—there is exclusion between you and God, and between you and others here.

Think of the discomfort of entering a youth group where friendships already exist, making it hard to be included. That exclusion feels lame. But imagine the ultimate exclusion in an unbeliever's life: completely separated and cut off from the body of Christ. Multiply that discomfort by a million—it still does not capture being excluded from Jesus.

As a spiritually dead person, you are not even on the outside looking in. You cannot see the warmth of the kingdom of God. You are lying by the wayside in the snow on a dark road, unaware of your horrible condition.

You were separated from Christ Himself. For those who know Jesus, the phrase "separated from Christ" is heartbreaking, more terrifying than any horror.

You were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel—excluded from citizenship among God's people. You do not belong in the kingdom or the city of God.

Prior to Christ, people have no hope. As an unbeliever, there is no hope you can conjure up. Hopelessness defines that life. You are a stranger in the world you live in.

Why Remember the Former Life?

Why does Paul instruct believers to remember their former lives—the horrors of hopelessness, alienation, and separation from Christ? Why remember this theology?

It creates a deep sense of humility. Knowing where you came from and why you are a Christian now—realizing it was nothing you did, nothing you initiated—prevents you from thinking too highly of yourself.

You did not wake up and plan your salvation, choose your path to God, or decide to be a Christian. As spiritually dead, you could not and would not want to. Yet God pulled you out into this position of blessedness.

Remembering this excludes boasting. In verse 9 of this chapter, Paul expresses these truths to keep us from boasting about the blessings and privileges of chapter 1, like the prodigal son bragging about wealth he did not earn.

It prevents the attitude that because you are a Christian, you are better than others who are not.

Remembering the Reality of Salvation

The reality of salvation is that you are never better than another sinner, even if they are not saved. What makes your existence acceptable to God is the work of Christ. You still have the capacity to sin dwelling within you. This is Romans 7, where Paul cries out:

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. (Romans 7:24-25, summarized)

There is a severe prevention of the good that could take place in your life because sin remains within you. When you examine the life of an unbeliever versus a believer and ask what the difference is, it is nothing either has done or not done.

Understanding the Disorder of the Former Life

Understanding the disorder that remains in the present life can create greater enjoyment of the peace you have. There was enmity between you and God—you were at war with Him. Being an unbeliever does not mean you do not acknowledge God; you know He is there and do what is necessary to get Him off your conscience. That is the lifestyle of an unbeliever.

As they fight against God and take up arms of sin, remembering this theology helps you understand the chaos. When it is pressed upon your mind, it catapults your enjoyment of peace to greater levels. You cannot forget what you have been cleansed from. Second Peter chapter one says those who do not pursue moral excellency, self-control, and growth are forgetting their former life. They are short-sighted, unable to see beyond their nose—the bigger picture of temptation, decisions, and choices. They rush into bad marriages and face difficulties because they cannot see the greater good or evil.

The Hopelessness Before Christ Magnifies Hope

Understanding the hopelessness you had before creates greater enjoyment and experience of hope. Charles Spurgeon said a diamond shines brightest when pitted against a black surface. Take the gospel—Jesus Christ, your peace, wisdom, sanctification—and pit Him against the black surface of your former life. He is magnified. The more you see the horrendousness, hopelessness, chaos, and disorder before Christ, the worse it looks and the greater Christ appears—more enjoyable, more satisfying.

This is a great tool against sin and temptation: seeing Christ's greatness against your former life. It gives perspective on what is still future—a holier you, and ultimately in eternity, a sinless you with full possession of Christ's righteousness, free to worship forever without calamity.

The past and present lives are ones you do not enjoy or get comfortable with. You have sincere gospel motivation to progress to a future holier you. Understanding the future is better increases your hope exponentially.

From Exclusion to Inclusion

Understanding your former exclusion gives greater satisfaction and thankfulness for being included. You were excluded from hope and direct access to the Father—something Israel longed for over millennia. Now, Jesus has paved the way for direct fellowship with God. Ultimately, you will enter permanent fellowship, standing in the presence of the Almighty.

Old Testament believers risked death to see God's glory, understanding it could be the most enjoyable attribute. Now, Christ grants open access to experience God. You have been included. You were separated in rebellious enmity; now excluded from enmity, included in God's peace. He takes you from children of wrath into peace with God through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel Breaks Down Barriers

The barrier between Jew and Gentile was a chasm worse than many divisions today—like Jew and Muslim or Christian and Muslim. Gentiles were called "Gentile dogs"—unclean, subhuman. Yet the gospel united them in fellowship, despite problems like in Galatians 2. The gospel repairs divisions.

What brings you to God is salvation. What unites you with one another is the gospel. You are not seeking friendships for looks, coolness, or longevity. Jesus bore your sins, bringing you into right relationship with God and thus with each other. The gospel creates meaningful, lasting relationships. You share salvation and the indwelling Holy Spirit. You are no longer strangers, aliens, or enemies, but in peace—a satisfying arrangement where armies lay down arms.

Feelings can deceive; peace here is objective reality. The Holy Spirit is the bond of friendship in the church; the gospel unites Christians.

Built Together as God's Dwelling

You are not just individually God's dwelling; you are being built up together as His dwelling place. In the Old Testament, God judged misuse of His temple. Apply that to one another. Like David's desire to build a temple, make God's dwelling lovely through relationships. Your relationship with God is primary, but you co-labor, loving one another equally involved in each other's lives. If everyone is concerned for others, everyone is cared for.

Applications: Included Christians

Included Christians versus excluded: Included Christians stand on the doctrines of the prophets, apostles, and Jesus. You are built on that foundation—it matters what you believe. To be a greater friend or spouse, know and stand on what they preached.

Included Christians form a community of like-minded believers. Holiness is the foundation. You are part of the whole church, not just youth group—reach out to all ages, be examples to younger ones. Younger kids look to you first.