So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
When Vicki and I led mission trips to France, our host family said we were aliens, meaning we as Christians were nothing like the people they knew. Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus but spoke directly to the Gentiles here. They were not allowed in the inner courts of the temple but were forced to stay in “The Court of the Gentiles”. When Jesus came, as the prophets wrote, the promise to Abraham was fulfilled and all nations were blessed by his offspring, Jesus. Now they are no longer strangers and aliens but can enter through the torn veil into the holy of holies.
Yet, in a sense, Paul also said we become strangers and aliens when we believe in Jesus. We become citizens of the household of God and therefore are not allowed in the inner court of the world but stay in the “Court of the Church”. That is where our citizenship is and where we feel at home and welcomed by our brothers and sisters. When we become members of a church, we enter the church’s inner court. We are no longer citizens of the world, but of God. May we pray today that our passport for the kingdom is up to date through prayer and reading the word.
Dear Lord, thank you for the citizenship and community we enjoy as the church. We pray for more new citizens to join us today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church