I’m a Have Been – Ephesians 2:11-13 (NIV)

I’m a Have Been – Ephesians 2:11-13 (NIV)

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Being born a Gentile meant, by definition, you weren’t a Jew. Uncircumcised. Separated and excluded from the things of God’s people. That included the Messiah. Separate from Christ (savior), Israel (home), covenants (protection, provision, future), hope (security) and God (peace, joy, safety,…).

"But now" – the great change. In Christ, His blood, all that changes. In Him, we who were excluded are now included.

I’m included in this description as someone now near Christ. I was far away. But now I’m near. The language here is important, as usual. I’m a "have been."

"Have been" – present, perfect, passive. It’s describing a present state. The way things are now. Perfect meaning it’s finished, completed, done. Passive meaning it was done to or for something/someone.

Present: my new state is now established as near Christ.

Perfect: It’s done. It was completed in the past and finished completely.

Passive: I didn’t do anything. He did it for me and to me. It was all Him.

I have been brought near to Christ. By Him, for me, completely completed in the past. I’m a have been.