https://odb.org/2024/09/23/no-longer-a-foreigner
As ancient Israel was a religious state, the foreigner or Gentile did not have equal rights under the Covenant Law. The rationale is to maintain the purity of the Jewish race and faith. Thus, inter-marriages with the other communities in Canaan were not allowed. As history has shown, when the Israelites inter-marry, they tend to worship other gods like Baal, and that angered the LORD as it breached the first commandment of the Mosaic law that thou shall worship no other gods except the LORD. For example, an offering from a foreigner is not considered unblemished and is not acceptable. The foreigner may not enter the inner courts of the Temple, reserved only for the priests. Thus, the Gentile is confined to the outer courts.
The blood of Christ that was shed on Calvary changed all that as Jesus reconciled all to God, whether Jew or Gentile, allowing access to every one who believes in Christ to enter even the Holy of Holies. We no longer need a High Priest to represent us to atone for our sins as Jesus is now our High Priest interceding for us at the right hand of the Father. In Christ, we are no longer foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household built on the foundation of Christ and that of the apostles and the prophets.
Ephesians 2:17-20 NKJV:
17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him, we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
Assert our rights and entitlements as legitimate sons and daughters of God through Christ, as co-heirs with Christ in the Kingdom of God. For example, we are no longer bound by the bondage of sin and have authority over spiritual forces. We may work in signs and wonders and healing for those around us with the power and authority granted us by Christ. Most importantly, we have an eternal destination even as where we are is the Kingdom of God here on earth to live out and reflect the glory of God. Greater is He who is in us that he who is in the world!
Have a fruitful week ahead, everyone! Assert our rights, entitlements, power, and authority in Christ Jesus! May we all have a spiritual breakthrough in our walk of faith as we persevere on in righteousness and fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives!
Ronnie's Thoughts 