“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 (ESV)
If ever one finds themselves in a place, a country or even city that they are not native to, it can be uncomfortable. Another word for ‘aliens’ is ‘sojourners’ – that is what Abraham and his clan were when they lived in Canaan. A sojourner was a transient with not property or permanent residence where they sojourn. God’s kingdom is made up of the people from all time who have trusted in Him. There are no strangers, foreigners, or second-class citizens there. This verse reminds us of our identity as Christians. God wants us all to recognize the great change that He made in our status and identity. Our verse speaks of our former status as foreigners and aliens without standing in God’s family. But now we are citizens. God sent His Son into this world to make this change possible. Although before we didn’t belong to God, He wanted us to be His. These are two descriptions of us in the verse. We are citizens together with God people, citizens with eternal rights to heaven. Even more, we belong to God’s household, members of His family. What a life affirming promise that is for us today.
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Esengo Mingi 