The Household of God

Ephesians 2:19  "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;"

Paul begins this verse with confirming what he has already said about us no longer being aliens, strangers and foreigners. He again makes this point clear based upon what he has said in the previous verses. Now therefore...based upon the fact His blood redeems, based upon the fact that He is our Peacemaker and based upon the fact that He is our Accessor, ye are no more strangers and foreigners.  We are fellow citizens with the saints. The specific saints Paul is referring to are those Old Testament believers who already made there journey to Heaven at the resurrection of Christ when..."the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." (Matt. 27:52,53) In conjunction with Ephesians 4:8  "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."  What Paul is saying is that we as New Testament believers are fellow citizens with our brethren who have already entered heaven, even though we remain on earth. Although we are here on earth our lifestyles ought to resemble the citizens of Heaven. Philippians 3:20  "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:"  The word conversation means community or citizenship. Paul is instructing us to behave as a citizens of Heaven as we patiently wait the return of Christ. As believers in Jesus Christ we are called to a higher standard of living. We are to live as if we are already in Heaven, that's are home, that's where we belong. No longer are we estranged or alienated from God but have made to be citizens of His Kingdom. Paul continues and goes further. Not only are we citizens of Heaven we belong to God's household. We are in the family of God. We live as children that are away from the house where we belong. Ephesians 3:15  "Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,"  God the Father is waiting for us to come home where we belong. All saved Christians are a member of the household of God, therefore..."As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."  (Galatians 6:10)