216. Fellow Citizens
Ephesians 2:19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
We are strangers and foreigners on the earth, but we are no longer strangers and foreigners to the Kingdom of God. We are fellow citizens with the saints, in the same kingdom with the same king. In addition to being included in the spiritual and eternal kingdom with the Good Shepherd caring for us, we are also members of the family (household) of God.
They say family is the place you can go where they have to take you in; actually, it is the place where you will be accepted no matter what you have done or where you have been. Being accepted, loved, welcomed and warmed is the greatest and most needed feeling we can experience on earth, and that is in an imperfect family. How much better is the family of God! The Lord will always take us in, welcome us, and make a comfortable home for us. And that’s a guarantee.
No one enjoys dwelling in a strange place where it does not feel comfortable and one can’t seem to get settled. Humans were created to live in community to take care of others and be taken care of by one another. God created family and communities where everyone knows your name, a place where it feels like you matter. This is the kingdom of God. Since Jesus came for us we are no longer on the outside looking in. With Jesus, we are in. Inclusion is important. And as a citizen, a person is guaranteed certain rights, according to the government in place. Even though the governments that be are ordained by God, sin ruins every human government; so justice, rights and protection are not always guaranteed. However, in the Kingdom of God, where Jesus rules in love and with love, everything we need is solidified for us. We may not like human rule, tainted as it is by sin, but we will always enjoy the rule of Christ in our lives; and we are happy citizens. Our so-called “inalienable rights” are promised to us. “Repent and believe the Gospel, the kingdom of God is at hand.”