Tuesday - The Power of "But now"

Ephesians 2:13–16 - "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity... to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby."

The words "But now" change everything.

Paul has just reminded the Ephesians of their former condition. They were far from God, without hope, and without Christ. But then comes the turning point: "But now in Christ Jesus..."

This simple phrase introduces the miracle of grace. We were once distant, but now we are brought near. Not by effort or religion or good behavior, but by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Jesus didn’t just close the gap between us and God. He tore down the wall that separated Jew and Gentile. He broke down the division that once defined humanity. He took enemies and made them family. He took strangers and made them one body.

This is the power of the gospel. It turns hopelessness into healing. It turns separation into closeness. It turns conflict into peace.

The cross didn’t just forgive your past. It changed your present. It made a way for reconciliation—both vertically with God and horizontally with others.

Take time today to reflect on the "but now" moments in your own life.

• Where were you before Christ met you?
• What walls has He broken down in your heart?
• What relationships has He healed or is still healing?

Let His reconciling work fill you with gratitude and peace.