"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and
foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household
of God" (Ephesians 2:19).

Speaking primarily to new Gentile believers, Paul
welcomes them into the body of Christ, made up of all
true believers, either Jew or Gentile. Each new member
enjoys full privileges and benefits given to all "saints," those
"of the household of God." "For our conversation |literally,
`citizenship,' same root word as in our text| is in heaven;
from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ" (Philippians 3:20).

Regarding our former state, Christ declared: "Ye are
of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye
will do" (John 8:44). However, we have broken with this
former alliance and transferred our allegiance to "God, who
hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ" (II
Corinthians 5:18). "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are
become new" (v.17).

Our function as non-citizens still living to a degree
in our prior realm is revealed, for "God . . . hath given to
us the ministry of reconciliation" (v.18). God is in the
business of reconciling others who are now estranged back
to Himself, and even though He could do it all Himself,
without any help from His feeble creation, He has in His
grace given us a part in this blessed work. The work will
involve a struggle, for our warfare is against the ruler of this
world and his henchmen, but we will, through God's
enablement, be victorious (Ephesians 6:10-18).

"Now then |since| we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (II Corinthians 5:20). Let us be about this blessed business. JDM