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NASB | Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:13 But now [at this very moment] in Christ Jesus you who once were [so very] far away [from God] have been brought near by the blood of Christ. |
Subject: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus |
Bible Note: Dear Meta, There is an old Latin expression of the Reformation, "Ecclesia semper reformans, semper reformanda;" meaning "the church is always reformed and always reforming." As an evangelical I find no better place to continue the reformation process than within evangelicalism, since judgment begins in the house of the Lord (1 Peter 4:17a; Ezekiel 9:6; cf Amos 3:2). After all, "If we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged" (1 Corinthians 11:31). Since evangelicalism, it might well be argued, has the most overt claim to being Bible based -- and I would not be a part of it it if it were not -- then that claim must be constantly reexamined. Not because the Word changes, but their must be a constant effort to replace that which is the lie (which yet remains in our minds) with that which is the truth (cf 2 Timothy 3:16). Does such an effort cause division? Of course it does. Sound doctrine always has and always will do so: it divides the sheep and the goats; the wheat and the tares; the good tree and the bad tree; the fruitful abiding branches and the dry barren branches; etc. In Him, Doc "Divisions and separations are most objectionable in religion. They weaken the cause of true Christianity. They give occasion to the enemies of all godliness to blaspheme. But before we blame people for them, we must be careful that we lay the blame where it is deserved. False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. If people separate themselves from teaching which is positively false and unscriptural, they ought to be praised rather than reproved. In such cases separation is a virtue and not a sin. It is easy to make sneering remarks about 'itching ears,' and 'love of excitement ; but it is not so easy to convince a plain reader of the Bible that it is his duty to hear false doctrine every Sunday, when by a little exertion he can hear truth. The old saying must never be forgotten, 'He is the schismatic who causes the schism.' "Unity, quiet, and wider among professing Christians are mighty blessings. They give strength, beauty, and efficiency to the cause of Christ. But even gold may be bought too dear. Unity which is obtained by the sacrifice of truth is worth nothing. It is not the unity which pleases God. The Church of Rome boasts loudly of a unity which does not deserve the name. It is unity which is obtained by taking away the Bible from the people, by gagging private judgment, by encouraging ignorance, by forbidding men to think for themselves. Like the exterminating warriors of old, the Church of Borne 'makes a solitude and calls it peace.' There is quiet and stillness enough in the grave, but it is not the quiet of health, but of death. It was the false prophets who cried 'Peace,' when there was no peace." --Bishop J. C. Ryle, from "Knots Untied" (1885) |