Welcome!
Today: God’s household!
Passage: Eph 2, Prov 17
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (Eph 2, NIV 84)-
The gentiles of Jesus’ time had suffered a lot of alienation from the “people of God” because the gentiles were like the “outcast”
Now Paul is announcing freedom for the gentiles; the freedom in Christ, where all people are equal-regardless of anything they could boast about!
The gospel and its blessings cannot be denied to any; we are selfish to keep it to ourselves and not share it with others!
Now, the gospel breaks all barriers and brings people together, and to God
The Church is fed continuously by the word, and the word should work within. The inner man should become more and more like Christ, day after day
Something is wrong with us, when the word does not change us!
Paul states that these gentiles who heard and accepted the gospel are now fellow citizens with Paul, who was from a very strong Jewish background!
I have seen how glad some people are, to receive the citizenship of a nation!
But then, we are more than just citizens; we are a family with God!
Being family/household of God is a much closer, intimate relationship!
Then, we are also part of a building; living stones that make the temple of God!
Jesus Christ is the corner stone: Apostles and prophets become the foundation. The teaching of the Apostles and the prophets-the entire word of God-is the foundation of the Church.
The prophets of the Old Testament were bound by strict rules of God. The penalty for false prophecy was nothing less than death!
A true prophet speaks the very heart-the very words of God. The sixty six books of the Bible were put together by about forty of them- under God who was superintending the whole work, over a period of 1500 + years
No true Church is independent of the triune God and His word
It is not the 27 books of the N.T, but the whole entire Bible that the Church is based on. The triune God is at work in His people, from the beginning
God bless your meditation and your daily life with Him!
Amen!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your unselfish sacrifice, through which you made us part of your family. Help us never to forget who we are, and who we were. Thank you Lord. Amen
Proverbs 17 (verses below from NIV 84)
6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.