Ephesians 2

Paul reminded the Ephesians that they were once apart from God and that only by the sacrifice of Jesus were they brought into the family of God. Through the grace of God, they were adopted into the promise given to Israel because Jesus had torn down the wall of the law and was building a new temple to include everyone who believed in Him.

No one starts off life as a Christian. Before we come to know and accept Christ, we are all apart from God - rebellious. Once we accept Christ into our lives, He grafts us into the body of believers and begins to change us into something new. Only then do we have the promise of eternal life. This is a free gift that cannot be earned by anything we do. God gives it freely because of His grace and love for each of us.