You Are No Longer Strangers

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, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:19-21 ESV

In his teachings, Paul reminds us that we are no longer strangers or sojourners, but rather are a part of God's kingdom. There was a time when we were all strangers, and all of the nations, except for God's allotted portion, Israel, were considered definite strangers. The Deuteronomy 32:8-9 worldview records this fact. However, through Christ Jesus, all of the disinherited nations are not only welcomed but embraced back into God's favor, and we now have a place in the kingdom of God as His sons and daughters. This profound act of redemption and acceptance revealed to us in the fullness of time, should evoke a sense of hope and joy in our hearts.

I can only imagine the fear and hopelessness that the people of dispossessed nations must have felt when the rebellious sons of God were ruling them. These nations practiced ritualistic hedonism and, at the other extreme, child sacrifices. The people were only trying to balance life and spirituality with divine beings who were, at best, unkind and wicked in their treatment of the populace.

What fantastic news that the Most High God has provided a way for people to return to His loving arms and escape the grip of their evil taskmasters. The scriptures reveal that after the death of Jesus on the cross, he descended into hell and set all the captives free. “Therefore, it says, “When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)” Ephesians 4:8-10 ESV

This served as notice to the principalities and powers in charge of the dispossessed nations that their reign was over, and a new King had arisen to take charge and reign over all, and His name is Jesus. What an opportunity to embrace God's love and forgiveness and leave behind the chains of bondage of these foreign gods. The people visiting Jerusalem during the Pentecost celebration received this message with joy and gladness, to finally be free from the gods of this world and serve the God of heaven freely. “Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” Acts 2:5-11 ESV

Being a Christian means being a part of God's family and connecting with other believers through Jesus's sacrifice. It's not about our skills or experience; these things are secondary to the foundation of our relationships with God and each other. Paul highlights the crucial role of the teaching of the apostles and prophets in strengthening and building connections between our fellow brothers and sisters. As members of this household of faith, we are called to cultivate and nurture these relationships with diligence and care.

Paul drew a powerful analogy, likening our strong connections with one another to a resilient building that can weather even the most ferocious storms with grace and determination. This building is not just any structure but a holy temple, where Jesus is the chief cornerstone, and each block is perfectly fitted in place on top of an unbreakable foundation.

Just as a building is only as strong as its foundation, with Christ as our foundation, we cannot fail, and so too our connections with each other. By maintaining these connections with love, care, and attention, we can build an unshakable community in the face of adversity. Together in Christ, we have a foundation of strength and stability that will endure to build His kingdom in our lives and the lives of future generations. We are the temple of God; Christ is in all things.

Stephen Barnett