Daily Devotional: Day 65
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20, NKJV).
If you’ve traveled outside your native land, you’re probably familiar with what it means to be a stranger or foreigner. If you’re new in a country or different territory, you’re likely to be at the mercy of people. Fitting in doesn’t come easily. One must adjust to the weather, the food, the people, perhaps the language, the social life, the laws, and at times stereotype. If you don’t have proper documentation in the new country, that’s even worse. In many countries as in past civilizations, people are classified based on their legal status. What has this “stranger” experience got to do with our relationship with God? Well, everything. I mean, everything. In Bible times, especially before the advent of Jesus Christ, anyone who wasn’t a Jew or Israelite was considered “unclean,” a foreigner, an outsider.
But Jesus made all the difference. By his Cross, he has removed the barrier between Jews and non-Jews. This means you’re no longer an alien or an outsider. Jesus’ blood has made you a fellow citizen with God’s saints. You’re a member (note this carefully!) of God’s household. You possess full rights and privileges as a citizen of Jesus’ kingdom. In this kingdom, there’s neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free; all are one. So, you belong. You’re home. Sadly, due to false doctrines, there are Christians who still have a distorted image of God and of themselves. They approach God and pray to him as if they’re beggars and strangers. In many ways they exhibit a low self-esteem when dealing with God. This must end; else Jesus has died in vain. No matter where you’ve been in the past or what you’ve done, it’s not too late. Jesus wants you to start enjoy the blessings of heavenly citizenship now. Why live as a stranger when Jesus is offering you citizenship?
Confess with me:
By the grace of God, Jesus has made me a fellow citizen with the saints. I will no longer approach God like a stranger. My citizen life in Christ has begun. To God be the glory now and forever. Amen!
For further study: Ephesians 2:1-22
Higher-Self Realities 