Ephesians 2:17-22 NASB
¹⁷And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; ¹⁸for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
¹⁹So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, ²⁰having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, ²¹in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, ²²in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Devotional
When you follow the Christ, you belong to Jesus!
When you follow the Christ, you belong to those who are fellow followers of Jesus!
▪︎ No matter, how people may look at you.
▪︎ No matter, if people throw you out of the synagogue
John 9:22
… for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.
(Some church told me that I would be welcome in their congregation, if I would keep my mouth shut about the Bible to the other members, and if I would stop sharing the Gospel on the internet – I refused their offer).
John 12:42
Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees, they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue.
John 16:2
They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.
▪︎ No matter, if people throw you out of the church, because they only want to hear what they have decided is the right message for their denomination, even if it is based on their own insights, and not on the Bible (as happened to me different times) When you follow the Christ, you belong to Jesus!
“We belong!” That is what the apostle Paul is telling us.
We’re not outsiders or second class citizens or “Johnny come lately” children of God.
Because of grace, we belong!
We are part of God’s house!
The foundation of that house is made up of the apostles and prophets.
The cornerstone of that house is Jesus Himself.
Incredibly, we are also a part of this holy house of God. We belong!
Prayer suggestions
- Thank God for His steadfast love with which He has blessed His people through the ages with His promises, with His grace, and with His future.
- Thank God for bringing you into His people by grace through faith in Jesus.
- Thank you for making you a vital part of His house.
- Ask God to forgive you for the times that you have doubted your importance to His cause
- Ask God to awaken in you the realization that you belong to Him, to His people, and to His house.
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