Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:19-21
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Ephesians 2:19
It has been said that to be able to find Christ is to be able to find everything. This thought is worthy to be accepted, for it describes what most of the Christians miss nowadays – that Christ is not just the missing part of your life, rather He is your life. And to be in Christ is to have a new standing before God: No longer strangers or even enemies to Him. Being in Christ is automatically finding one the greatest human pursuits – to belong. Yes, we belong in God, because to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And to become God’s children is to already belong to His kingdom! His family!
In continuation, Paul continues to unfold to us our new reality in Christ: That we were once dead and disobedient (2:1-30), but saved and made alive in Christ by grace (2:4-5), raised and seated with Him for God's immeasurable grace (2:6-7), saved as gift through faith that boasting has no room (2:8-9), that we are saved for God’s work (2:10), that because of this salvation, we are no longer separated, alienated and strangers because of Christ (2:11-12), that we are brought near in peace because of Christ (2:13-16), and this peace that we have in the Peacemaker Himself is brought and made known to us (2:17-18), now the apostle continues to add what the believers in Ephesus must know, and now us as well: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord (vv.19-21)”. God’s kingdom or the Father’s household is made up of all the believers in all times – the saints of the OT, NT, and to this present time. As it was mentioned by Paul in the earlier chapters, in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Every believer, whether the OT saints who didn’t see Jesus’ face, or NT saints who have seen Jesus' life, or the present saints, who believe even though they do not see, but has only heard and known, are full-fledged member of God’s own family. All are even part of God’s holy temple built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ, the Son of God as the cornerstone.
The new reality that we have in Christ does not only speak of the glorious redemption (2:1-10) brought about by our glorious Lord and Savior. This new reality that we have in Christ, dear saint, speaks also of adoption (2:11-22). That’s why it has been said and is worthy to be repeated, that we are no longer separated, alienated and strangers from God, in Christ, in the hope that is found in Him alone! And this brought us peace – peace with God, and with all the members of His household or Kingdom! Not only we enjoy our relationship with God through His Son, but also our relationship with our fellow saints through the Son! And we must keep in mind that the Father has bestowed to us, all the believers, the same burning passion and delight that He [the Father] gives to His Son!
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Have you considered to really understand the redemption and adoption that you have because of the Son?
2. Do you continue to grow in need of His grace?
3. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Pray
Father in Heaven, my Lord and God, allow me to keep on praising and thanking You for giving me Your own dear Son – that through Him I have obtained this unspeakable joy of being redeemed and adopted by Your grace. Help me to be reminded of this new reality, that You have brought me near to Your Son, and in Him I have the belonginess that I ought to find in other trivial things. Now I am redeemed and adopted to Your kingdom and household, help me to live by Your grace as well, on how I ought to live, as citizen and member of Your kingdom and household. I pray this, in the name of my Savior, Christ Jesus Your Son. Amen.
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