Citizens

That is why you are no longer foreigners and outsiders but citizens together with God's people and members of God's family.  (Ephesians 2:19 God's Word Translation)

There are two groups Paul is addressing in his letter to the Ephesians.  One group was a group of Jews who grew up with the understanding that they were on God's team.  They were the insiders and members of the elite group of God's chosen people.  They had the promises of God on their side.  Then there was another group of people who were not Jewish.  They had come from many different traditions and backgrounds but had found something incredible in Christ!

Paul is reminding the Jews that the non-Jews are now citizens!  They are now on equal ground with the Jews!  This is a hard concept for people when they have been told they are special all their lives and now God seems to be changing their world view.

Paul is reminding the non-Jews that they are citizens!  Now there is a way for all people to have the promises of God and become God's chosen people.  These new citizens of the Kingdom of God need to believe they are on equal ground with the Jews spiritually.

Although the dynamics of people are a little different today, I find the patterns of thinking are still similar today.

The Jewish Mindset
   - the in church crowd sees themselves as superior to the non-Christian groups of people in our culture
   - superiority mindsets lead to many negative behaviors such as lack of compassion, lack of concern, lack of prayer, lack of gratitude
   - people putting down others to make them feel better about themselves

The Non-Jewish Mindset 
   - some people fail to recognize our position in good standing with God and the Kingdom of God and so we sell ourselves short
   - we act like we are beggars in the Kingdom when we are really sons and daughters of the King
   - we need to be reminded of our place in the Kingdom because of the grace of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit

We who follow Christ and are joined together with His Spirit are Citizens of the Kingdom of God!  We have many rights and obligations because we are citizens!  But we can't forget the reality that we are part of the Kingdom to serve others and reach out to those around us who have not yet become Citizens with us!