no longer strangers or aliens

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...

Ephesians 2:9-20

Jesus came to make the world right through salvation and renewal in His life, death, and resurrection. The preaching of the gospel results in what we see described in Ephesians two: once “banished” groups of people are united together through faith in Jesus. In the case of this passage, the unity is between pagan Gentiles who now worship Jesus, and the early church that found the Messiah of the Jews in Jesus. No longer is there an ethnic barrier. Both are one in Christ.

The church that Jesus began should still look this way. It is a place without ethnic barriers. And this message is much needed today as the divisions between ethnic, economic, and generational groups seems all the more splintered in this age of screaming loud social media controversy. The gospel addresses this. In the church there are no strangers, aliens, outcasts, illegals, or pariahs among those who have truly repented and believed the gospel. All of those who are Christians are one in Christ!

Lord Jesus,

Help me to celebrate the beautiful work You are doing all over the world by building Your church. Jesus, You are the solid cornerstone holding together a truly diverse edifice of people that are the household of God worldwide. May the church reflect this diverse beauty of Your glory so the world may know Your saving love!

Amen