Fellow Citizens
Fellow Citizens
Scripture: Ephesians 2:19 (NLT)
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer
strangers and foreigners. You are citizens, along with all of God’s holy
people. You are members of God’s family.
Devotion:
Ephesians 2:19 is a powerful
testament to the transformative and unifying power of Christ's love. This
verse, addressed to the Gentiles, speaks volumes about inclusion, acceptance,
and the breaking down of barriers that once separated humanity. In the early
church, Gentiles were often viewed as outsiders by the Jewish community, but
through Christ, these distinctions are rendered obsolete.
In his letter to the Ephesians, the
apostle Paul uses the metaphor of citizenship to convey this radical shift.
Citizenship in the Roman Empire was a privilege, conferring rights, protection,
and a sense of belonging. In our modern context, citizenship often represents a
sense of identity, rights, and responsibilities in a community. By telling the
Gentiles they are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with
God's holy people, Paul is extending these privileges to them in the spiritual
realm. This is not just a superficial change of status but a profound
transformation that redefines one's identity, just as becoming a citizen of a
country can redefine one's identity and sense of belonging.
As members of God's family, we are invited
and cherished in an intimate relationship with our Creator. This family is not
limited by race, ethnicity, or social status. It is a diverse and harmonious
gathering of all who believe in Christ. Being part of God’s household implies
more than belonging; it suggests a deep connection, a shared purpose, and
mutual love and support.
This passage also presents us with
a profound challenge-to deeply examine our attitudes and behaviors. Do we view
others through the lens of God's love, or do we allow prejudice and division to
cloud our vision? Are we truly welcoming of those different from us, or do we unconsciously
keep our circles small and exclusive? This challenge calls for introspection
and self-awareness.
In a world that is often divided,
this verse calls us back to the heart of the Gospel - unity in Christ. It
inspires us to break down the walls that divide us and to build bridges of
understanding and compassion. As we meditate on Ephesians 2:19, let us not just
passively receive its message, but actively commit to being agents of God’s
love, celebrating the rich diversity that God has created. Let us actively seek
to understand and love those who are different from us. This call to unity in
Christ is not just a message, but a source of inspiration and motivation for us
as we navigate our daily lives.
Prayer:
Lord,
keep us humble and open to accepting all those you have called to be your
followers. Help us remember the great grace by which you saved us is available
to all whose hearts truly seek you. May we give you all the glory you deserve
for being a God that sees beyond external identity and searches the hearts of
everyone to find out if they have true faith in you. Bless us, we pray, with
eyes to see as you see and to love as you love. Amen.
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