This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
Citizenship.
For most of you reading this, you were probably born on American soil. With that birth certificate signed by a hospital on US soil, you were given the rights of American citizenship. You don’t have to pass a test, take a competency test or prove your loyalty to our country. By birth you were “in.” For a smaller portion of Americans, they went through a lengthy legal process that applied for citizenship and then included study of American history, taking a test and pledging their loyalty to our country.
It’s no wonder that the debate about illegal immigration rages on when the boarders of our country are to protect our citizens and what it means to be a US citizen. It’s a big deal. It’s an important matter.
For a US citizen, we are governed by our founding documents of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Our branches of government, legislative processes, and judicial protections are guided by what is written in the documents. As a US citizen, we are invited to be part of the process to choose our representatives in government, respect our country and pledge allegiance to our flag.
The purpose of this devotion to start the week isn’t to be commentary on current political events, but simply to get us thinking about what it means to be a citizen of a country.
Because for the Christian, we also are a citizen of another kingdom: the kingdom of God. Great blessings are given to citizens of God’s kingdom and it comes with many rights and privileges. Yet we were not just simply born into this citizenship. We didn’t earn this citizenship, but rather it too is a gift of God’s grace. This week we will delve into these words of the Apostle Paul which teach us about this status we enjoy as a Citizen of God’s Kingdom:
Ephesians 2:11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Apply: What do you think is the biggest blessing of being called a “fellow citizen with God’s people”?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the blessing of our country. We ask in this time of political upheaval that you would, as you have promised, guide all affairs for the blessing of your people and the proclamation of your Gospel. As we value our citizens as residents of this country, we ask you to enhance our love, appreciation, and activity for you by making us a citizen of your kingdom. AMEN.