OUTSIDERS WELCOME

Caryn Blocker

Central Truth

Even though we sometimes may feel like outsiders, God's Word is clear that we are chosen and dearly loved!

But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. (Ephesians 2:13-14)

One in Christ

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,^{1

2:19
Or sojourners} 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. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by^{2

2:22
Or in} the Spirit.

Footnotes

[1] 2:19 Or sojourners
[2] 2:22 Or in

Try to imagine how the Christian Gentiles felt around the Jews during the early days of the Church. Previously, there had been a real distinction between Jew and Gentile. To the Jews, Gentiles were the "Uncircumcised," "heathens," and "unclean." They were outsiders -- the second class citizens of the spiritual community. This passage of Scripture shows how Jesus revolutionized their relationship with God and with their new brothers and sisters, the Jewish Christians. Jesus had "broke(n) down the barrier of the dividing wall" (Ephesians 2:14) and made the Jews and Gentiles into one Body. They were now all legitimate children of God.

Like the Gentiles of the early Church, I have known what it feels like to be an outsider and to be excluded from a group. It hurts. As a mother, it is especially painful to watch my children deal with the inevitable feelings of rejection that come about at different times in each of their lives. God's Word is a great encouragement to us when we feel like outsiders. Today, we read that "in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). No matter how we feel, the TRUTH is that we, as believers in Christ Jesus, are insiders! Christ, by His blood, has made it so! In fact, God's Word tells us that in Christ, we are:

• members of a chosen race, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9);
• chosen of God, holy and beloved (Colossians 3:12);
• sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26);
• fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17);
• partakers of a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1); and
• members of His household (Ephesians 2:19, NIV)

Because Jesus Christ is your Lord, you are definitely not an outsider, but an insider! And unlike our feelings or the affections of man, this truth will never change!

1. Do you put more stock in your feelings or in what God's Word says is true about who you are in Christ?

2. When you feel discouraged or rejected, how can God's Word encourage you?

3. Can you think of a friend or relative who needs to be reminded today of the truth of who he or she is in Christ? Will you share it with him/her?