Paul the
apostle explained to the Ephesian church members how God Almighty
brought both the Jews and Gentiles together through Jesus' death on
the cross. Where the Jews had the advantage of the “law of
commandments” which brought them into a relationship with God,
the Gentiles were as outsiders without “access” to God. In
chapter two and verse nineteen of his letter, Paul shared how Jesus'
provision made the Gentiles “no more strangers and foreigners”
but “fellow-citizens” where we read:
Now
therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners,
but
fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
The
verse begins, “Now therefore you are no more strangers
and foreigners,...” Paul began
with the word “Now”
which means “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being
so” “therefore”
or “wherefore and so then” “you are no more”
which means “no longer or further” “strangers”
or “foreigners, aliens, without knowledge of or a share in” “and
foreigners” which literally
refers to “strangers and ones who live in a place without the right
of citizenship” and metaphorically “without citizenship in God's
kingdom and of Christians whose home is in heaven”. Because of
Jesus bringing together the Jews and Gentiles through His death on
the cross, the Gentiles who at one time were strangers are no more.
The
verse goes on to say, “...but fellow-citizens with the
saints, and of the household of God;”
Paul added, “but”
which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated “fellow-citizens”
which means “possessing the same citizenship with other such as the
Gentiles as received into communion of the saints and people
consecrated to God” “with the saints”
which refers to “the most holy, sacred, pure, morally blameless,
religiously and ceremonially consecrated”, “and of the
household” or “belonging to
a house or family both domestic and intimate, kindred and related”
“of God” which
refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God
the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Now that the
Gentiles have been brought into a relationship with Jesus, they are
considered “fellow-citizens”
and “family” with those who belong to the “household
of God”.
When
we think through these words of Paul, we see the significance of
Jesus bringing the Gentiles into a relationship with God. Because He
gave His life, everyone may be a part of God's family, and those who
yield their lives to Him have obtained their family “citizenship”.
May all glory and praise be unto God for the provision He has given
to all who receive His Son as Savior and Lord.
Next
time Paul shares how this idea is “built on the
foundation of the apostles and prophets”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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