Ephesians 2:11-14,

In chapter two of Ephesians Paul continues to remember the blessings of God’s children. In verses eleven through seventeen he expounds upon the blessings of God’s peace. 11) “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh”.
Before the Gentiles were blessed with the gospel they were led away by dumb idols (I Cor 12:2), made sacrifices to devils (I Cor 10:20), and walked in the vanity of their mind being alienated from the life of God (Eph 4:17-19). They spent their time wondering what they would eat and wear (Mt 6:31-32) and used their position and influence to master others (Mt 20:25). Their lives were often consumed with “lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries” (I Pe 4:3).
The Apostle characterizes this past condition (vs 11-12) in several ways. The Gentiles were not in God’s fold of congregational fellowship (Jn 10:16). Without inspired information they were strangers as a people from the covenant of promise which alone contains the great promise of the Messiah and of eternal life. In this ignorance they did not have a good and just hope beyond this life. Since strong confidence in spiritual and eternal blessings is particularly grounded in the gospel of the redemptive work of Christ the Gentiles were in a state of distance and estrangement from God.
As Paul, Isaiah said to look upon our past to be inspired to worship the Lord in the present “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged” (Isa 51:1). Reflect on your sinful past, but focus on your present blessing. Do not forever be counting past earthly losses; take inventory of present heavenly wealth. With a “But
now” Paul makes exclamation of a present joy. Right now, today, this very moment we are near the Lord by the blood of Christ (vs 13). “Count your many blessings name them one by one”.

We are in a time of terror and conflict, but Christ “is our peace” (vs 14-17) and we are to view racial, political, economic, or male and female conflicts in the light of the fact that if anyone is in Christ he is a new creature (II Cor 5:17-18). Regardless of acknowledged differences, fundamentally there is no difference between me and any other saved sinner. Christ has established in himself a new humanity!
When the gospel comes in power it humbles the haughty and arrogant and lifts up the burdened and down trodden. The cross of Christ slays the superiority of the proud and also the inferiority of the pouting. In knowledge of sinful self before the wrathful storm of a Holy God differences are eliminated in the fellowship of salvation in Christ. He is our peace (vs 14).
Two painters were asked to paint a picture illustrating God’s peace. The first painted a beautiful evening scene in the foreground of which was a lake, its surface absolutely calm and unruffled. Trees surrounded it, and meadows stretched away to the distant cattle gently grazing. A little cottage and the setting sun all spoke of perfect rest. The second painter drew a wild stormy scene. Heavy black clouds hung overhead. In the center of the picture an immense waterfall poured forth huge volumes of water covered with foam. One could almost hear its unceasing roar, yet foremost to an observer’s eyes were two small birds. Perched in a cleft of a huge rock, absolutely sheltered from all danger, they jointly poured forth sweet notes of joy. The second portrayed God’s peace. Pursue the peace you have in Christ with others. In Christ husbands and wives, parents and children, black and white, rich and poor are all one. Christ has reconciled us into one by the cross (vs 16).