So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, Ephesians 2:19 NABRE
Paul writing to the community at Ephesus, includes Gentiles in God’s household. Christ has made it so Gentiles are no longer strangers, but fellow citizens with the “holy ones” and members of the Body of Christ. Previously foreigners and aliens among God’s people, Gentiles now enjoy full citizenship in the kingdom of God along with all God’s faithful from the New and Old Covenant. Jesus made it clear that salvation and new life are available to everyone. God has inaugurated a new creation that includes Jews and Gentiles in the body of the crucified and risen Christ. This does not make the covenant people of the Old Testament irrelevant, they remain the root and trunk of the olive tree that the Gentile believers have joined. Even though including new people, the Church consisting of Jews and Gentiles is a continuation of the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is not something new from God, Isaiah 66 (see v18-21) speaks about God gathering nations from all over, setting a sign among them and letting them see His glory. God calling His chosen people, wasn’t setting an exclusive community, but an inclusive example. God wants to call all people to Himself, as creator He loves all creation.
Therefore all people belong on the olive tree, or on the vine as we hear in the telling of the vine and the branches story. To get off, we must choose to be off ourselves. Even then God will do whatever He can to keep us on the vine or bring us back if we are lost. As followers we should do our part to live an example so all people will want to live on the olive tree with us.
Do you invite others to join your church? Can you imagine the Body of Christ complete with all people?
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