God Citizen – Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)

God Citizen – Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)

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.

We are no longer strangers to God but citizens of God’s kingdom as much as any other citizen old or new. We are "one new humanity" (v2:15) together – the old (Jews, prophets) and new (Gentiles, apostles) with Christ redeemed by and in Christ who is the most important piece of it all.

Previously God indwelled the Tent of Meeting with Moses and the Temple built by Solomon. His dwelling on earth. When Christ died, the veil separating people from God’s presence was torn from top (Him) to bottom (us).

Now, in Him, we "are being built together" to become a new dwelling for His Spirit. Like many others these days, I agree that we downplay or ignore the role of the Holy Spirit. I’m not sure if it’s because it seems mystical or because the Spirit doesn’t affect our senses as much. We’re very physical people. Out of sight, out of mind.

I like to think of the Holy Spirit, among other things, as a God-magnet in us. He pulls us toward Himself. He’s our inner anchor to help resist evil, gravitate toward good, remind us of His love, intercede for us in prayer and lead us in His ways.

I sometimes give the Old Testament people a hard time. Same for the apostles in the Gospels. I have to remember they didn’t have the Holy Spirit until later.

As it says, we’re "being built" – it’s a journey, a process. As we dwell on Him, He will dwell in us. As we set our hearts on the things above, (Colosians 3:1-2) we make room for the Spirit. As we walk by Him, we’ll follow Him (Galatians 5:16).

As time goes on, we grow and are being built in Him, we grow deeper in Him, we follow more closely beside Him. This is His doing in Christ’s blood and our benefit as citizens of God’s people.