Renewing Your Mind – “Brought Near by the Blood of Christ”

Air Date: January 4, 2026
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Speaker: Dr. R.C. Sproul
Scripture: Ephesians 2:11–22

Episode Overview

This episode marks the start of a new series on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, focusing on Ephesians 2:11-22. Dr. R.C. Sproul discusses the predicament of humanity separated from Christ and the astonishing transformation made possible “by the blood of Christ.” The central theme revolves around the reconciliation achieved through Christ—between God and sinful humanity, and between Jew and Gentile. The teaching highlights the Church’s nature and how believers, both near and far, are unified in Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Depth of Separation from Christ

Timestamps: 00:00–04:45

• Dr. Sproul highlights Paul’s grim diagnosis: being "separated from Christ" is the worst condition for any human.

• Paul lists five aspects of the Gentiles’ former alienation:

  • Separated from Christ
  • Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel
  • Strangers to the covenants of promise
  • Having no hope
  • Without God in the world

• These illustrate the spiritual bankruptcy and hopelessness apart from God’s revelation and covenant.

  “For the Apostle Paul to describe people's condition as being in a state of separation from Christ is one of the most grim diagnoses that he could make about any human's condition.”
  — Dr. R.C. Sproul (00:00)

• The Gentiles' plight extended beyond just being distant from Jewish customs; it represented utter spiritual lostness.

2. Understanding "In the Flesh" and Ethnic Divides

Timestamps: 04:45–10:30

• Paul’s phrase, “Gentiles in the flesh,” refers here to ethnicity, not just sinful nature.

• The cultural gap included pejorative attitudes—the Jews calling Gentiles "the foreskins," a derogatory term rooted in ritual differences.

• This reflects deep-seated alienation and hostility between Jews and Gentiles.

  “The Gentiles didn’t understand Jewish traditions, didn’t understand Jewish practices, didn’t understand Jewish religion... there was again much hostility that was generated between the two groups.”
  — Dr. R.C. Sproul (08:40)

• Paul urges Gentiles (and by extension, all Christians) to remember their former condition to appreciate their present status in Christ.

3. Deprivation Without Christ

Timestamps: 10:30–17:00

• Gentiles were "strangers to the covenants of promise” because they lacked the Scriptures.

• Refers to Paul's teaching in Romans: the chief Jewish advantage was possessing “the oracles of God.”

• Gentiles' lack of Scriptural revelation left them “in so much more darkness.”

  “Without the oracles of God, without the special revelation of sacred Scripture, the Gentiles were consigned to a serious disadvantage... and were left in so much more darkness than being without the light that God gave to Israel.”
  — Dr. R.C. Sproul (11:40)

4. The Hopelessness of Life Without God

Timestamps: 17:00–21:00

• Dr. Sproul paints a poignant picture of life devoid of substantive hope, comparing it to a modern cycle of postponing happiness.

• The underlying spiritual reality is even more severe: life is essentially “godless,” a fact Paul expresses using the Greek word "atheoi."

• This means not just disbelief, but existential godlessness.

  “That's the description of everyone who is outside of Christ. They're godless. And Paul is saying that was your circumstance before. And he's not just talking to a group of people in Turkey, he's talking about us. This is our pedigree, this is our background. Nobody is ever born a Christian... When you take your first breath, you're not aware at least of the scriptures, yet you're dead in sin. You're without Christ and you're godless. That's our natural fallen condition.”
  — Dr. R.C. Sproul (18:45)

• He stresses the universality of this fallen condition—everyone starts spiritually dead.

5. The “But Now”—Christ’s Atonement Unites and Redeems

Timestamps: 21:00–24:20

• Paul offers hope after the bleak assessment: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

• Dr. Sproul notes the transformation is not by human effort but by divine intervention—salvation is entirely God's work.

  “It wasn't that I was dead in sin and trespasses, but Sproul resolved to change his ways, to turn over a new leaf, pull himself up from his bootstraps. No, salvation is of the Lord fully and completely.”
  — Dr. R.C. Sproul (22:55)

• The atonement (“the blood of Christ”) is the “great equalizer,” reconciling Jew and Gentile, erasing ethnic and spiritual barriers.

• Being “brought near” means moving from utter estrangement to full inclusion in God’s people—made possible only through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.

  “You were so far away from the kingdom we couldn't see you with Galileo's telescope... What has allowed you to pass over that distance? The means... it's the blood of Christ. That's what's changed my situation, from death to life, from hopelessness to hope, from godlessness to God—it's the blood of Jesus Christ.”
  — Dr. R.C. Sproul (23:15)

• The uncleanliness of Gentiles, depicted in the Old Testament, is cleansed only through the “bloodbath of the cross.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Dreadfulness of Separation from Christ:
  “For the Apostle Paul to describe people's condition as being in a state of separation from Christ is one of the most grim diagnoses that he could make about any human's condition.” (00:00, Dr. Sproul)

• On Hopelessness in Modern Life:
  “Never, I think, in the history of the west has hopelessness more permeated a culture than it does today. That's one reason why we're a drug ridden and suicidal culture, because without the covenants of promise, we have no hope.” (18:20, Dr. Sproul)

• On God’s Intervention in Salvation:
  “But God… the history of my redemption. Because it wasn't that I was dead in sin and trespasses, but Sproul resolved to change his ways, to turn over a new leaf, pull himself up from his bootstraps. No, salvation is of the Lord fully and completely.” (22:55, Dr. Sproul)

• On the Transforming Power of Christ’s Blood:
  “You were so far away from the kingdom we couldn't see you with Galileo's telescope… but you've now been brought near… it's the blood of Christ.” (23:15, Dr. Sproul)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–04:45 — Introduction and five-fold description of Gentile alienation.
• 04:45–10:30 — Explanation of “Gentiles in the flesh,” ethnic and ritual divisions.
• 10:30–17:00 — Deprivation without Christ and without God’s covenants.
• 17:00–21:00 — The depth of hopelessness and meaning of “without God”.
• 21:00–24:20 — The “But now”—reconciliation and unity in Christ by the blood.
• 24:20–26:07 — Closing remarks and reflections on unity and privilege in Christ (brief, not primary content).

Tone and Style

Reflective, theological, urgent, and pastoral—Dr. Sproul moves between deep biblical exposition and personal, relatable illustrations. He uses vivid language and memorable phrases to drive home the seriousness of being apart from Christ, and the unspeakable grace of being brought near by His blood.

Summary Statement

Dr. R.C. Sproul’s message from Ephesians 2 passionately underscores the peril of life outside Christ and the miracle of redemption and unity made possible through Jesus’ atonement. Whether Jew or Gentile, all are hopeless and godless apart from Christ, yet all are invited to be “brought near” and made part of God’s household by the saving work of Christ’s cross.