Not My People? Part Three

No Longer Gentiles

1 Corinthians 12:2 “You know that you were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as you were led.”

Notice how “Gentiles” are led to dumb idols, but as the apostle says in Romans 8:14 we march to a different drum. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Again though Paul shows in the beginning of Ephesians chapter 2 how we are saved by grace, it is works that we are saved unto.

Ephesians 2:10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.
11: Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by that which is called the “Circumcision” in the flesh made by hands;
12: That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the Covenants of Promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13: But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ.
14: For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16: And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were near.
18: For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19: Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the Household of God;
20: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Corner Stone;
21: In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22: In whom you also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.

If it isn’t obvious, let me point out what Paul said about believers:

in time past we were Gentiles;
we were without Christ;
we were strangers; we are made near (to what or whom? Keep reading);
he has made Isreal and us one;
we are no longer strangers and foreigners;
fellow citizens with the saints;
and of the Household (“household”: belonging to a House; related by blood, kindred) of God!