“Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated 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 once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility… For through him we both have 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 members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:12-16,18-20
In many nations of our world, aliens and strangers cross borders, fleeing violence and persecution, risking life and lonely, yearning for hope and safety and new life. They ford streams, trod in caravans, secretly steal undetected, all to leave, all to come. The conduit between from and to is as varied as those making attempt.
Spiritually, that way is made, and it’s all on the Way Maker. The crossing is a Cross, the way is blood, and all who make the journey find refuge into new citizenship on the other side. Enemies become friends, wanderers find home, the condemned are free. We may not be able to delineate the boundary between doubt and belief, wonder and faith, lost and found, but at one perceptible moment it is transversed, and new life begins. (Hebrews 11:13-16; John 14:6; Colossians 1:19-20)
Have I stepped to the other side? Is the country of doubt, fear, or fretting now in the distant past? Have I left the entanglement of impatience, bitterness, or malice behind? If I’m still loitering at the border, unwilling to stop coddling the old, or uncertain about putting on a recreated thought process, and reordering my outlook to enter the new, I have a decision to make. Jesus has made the way, but no one can walk it for me. What will it take to bid adieu forever to the old and enter the freedom of the wide place prepared for me? (Psalm 18:19; 31:8)
“And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.” ~Charles Wesley (1738)
What evidence is there I have crossed the border? Whom will I bring to see and desire the new country of Christ?
My Savior, may I never forget Your blood and the way You made for me. Help me fully access the unsearchable riches of Your grace and light, and boldly bring them to a world separated from You, for their fullness, and Your glory. (Ephesians 3:7-19)
As the rain and snow 