By the Riches of God's Grace

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

Here is a "blue stone" verse to bow the hearts of those of us who know both what it is to be "far off" and to be "nigh."

Those of you who have belonged to Him for so long that it is almost impossible to remember what it is like to be "far off," may rest your faith on our knowledge of the darkness out there away from Him.

Darkness and quiet, helpless desperation. And longing.

Longing to be "nigh" but perhaps not knowing it.

Those of us who have been "made nigh by the blood of Christ" after having lived "far off" for much of our adult lives, wonder sometimes at indifference to this blood. We wonder more at the indifference to the One who shed His blood that we might be "made nigh."

That He might be close to us.

That we might be close to Him.

That we might be one with Him who "hath broken down the middle wall of partition . . . " My faith rests lightly against this lovely, depthless "blue stone." I, who was once "far off," having been "made nigh" to Jesus forever. Brought near to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.