Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19 – 22

Great good news!  Jews and Gentiles, and all other groups on earth have before them the unbelievable blessing of being “God’s people and also members of his household.”  It is one thing, and a wonderful thing it is, to be God’s people. That is good news for every human being.  The price has been paid, the door is open, the welcome sign is blinking.  The next blessing is marvelous, to come into the house of God’s people!  Can we fully comprehend the privilege we have (because of the redeeming work of the trinity) a place among God’s people?  We belong to a new creation, the redeemed ones.  It rises above nationality and ethnicity.  It is God’s household.

Then Paul shifts the metaphor a bit, he goes on to say, we are part of God’s building, the blocks, the flooring, the windows, etc.  Each part is connected to all the other parts, no one is left out who is saved by the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ.  Further, each part builds the temple of which Jesus is the cornerstone.

It is an amazing building, a holy temple in the Lord.  God dwells in this temple!  It is his place for all time and for all people.  Is there a more compelling vision that carries us forward?  Praise God for this blessed gift – life with Him in his temple, so to speak.  Praise Him forever and ever.