Remembering Our Journey: From Outsiders to God's Beloved

Remembering Where We’ve Come From

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to forget where we've come from and how far we've traveled in our spiritual journey. Yet, taking time to remember and reflect on our past can profoundly impact our present and future. Today, let's pause and consider a powerful truth: many of us were once outsiders to God's family, but through His incredible love and grace, we've been brought near and made alive in Christ.

The Reality of Being an Outsider

The concept of being an "outsider" is one we can all relate to. Perhaps you've experienced that uncomfortable feeling of being in a crowded room yet feeling utterly alone. Or maybe you've been the new person at school or work, desperately seeking connection. This sense of alienation and exclusion is precisely what the apostle Paul urges us to remember when he speaks to the Ephesians.

Paul reminds the Gentile believers that they were once "separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). These words paint a stark picture of spiritual isolation, a state where individuals were cut off from God's promises, His people, and ultimately, from God Himself.

Why Remember Our Former State?

Why dwell on such a seemingly bleak past? The answer lies in the transformative power of remembering. When we recall our former state, we're not wallowing in past miseries but rather setting the stage to fully appreciate the magnificent work God has done in our lives.

The Power of “But God”

Consider for a moment the depth of what it means to be "without hope and without God." In our modern context, this might translate to placing our trust in fleeting things, like health, finances, or accomplishments. Yet, as we've all experienced, these temporary supports can crumble, leaving us feeling lost and afraid.

The beautiful contrast to this hopelessness is found in the simple yet profound phrase: “But God.” These two words serve as a pivotal point, reminding us that our story doesn't end in alienation. Instead, we read that God, "being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ" (Ephesians 2:4-5).

From Strangers to Family

This incredible act of divine love and mercy is at the heart of our transformation from outsiders to insiders, from strangers to family members. It's not something we achieved on our own merits, but a gift freely given by a God who loves us beyond measure.
As we reflect on this journey, we're reminded of the old Elvis song, Please Love Me. The lyrics speak to a universal human longing: "All I ask is please, please love me." This cry of the heart resonates with so many, whether they're walking into a school, a workplace, or even a church. People are searching for acceptance, for belonging, for love.

The profound truth is that in Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment of this longing. We are loved with an everlasting love by the Creator of the universe. The God who set the stars in the sky and designed the intricate patterns of DNA knows us intimately and loves us completely.

Gratitude That Leads to Worship

This realization should stir our hearts to gratitude and worship. When we truly grasp the magnitude of what God has done for us, bringing us from death to life and from exclusion to inclusion, how can we not respond with thankfulness? It's a reminder that echoes the sentiment of 1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.”

A Call to Welcome Others

But our remembrance shouldn't stop at personal gratitude. Paul's words also serve as a call to action. Just as we were once outsiders brought in by God's grace, we now have the privilege and responsibility to extend that same welcome to others.

Look around you. In your workplace, your neighborhood, your social circles—who are the "outsiders" longing for connection and hope? How can you be a conduit of God's love to those who feel alienated and alone? Remember, the message of God's love and salvation is not meant to be hoarded but shared freely with all who will listen.

Living Out Our Story of Grace

As we go about our daily lives, let's carry with us this dual awareness: a deep appreciation for the grace we've received and a keen eye for opportunities to extend that grace to others. Let our lives be marked by the kind of love that welcomes the stranger, comforts the outcast, and points everyone to the God who brings the spiritually dead to life.

In practical terms, this might mean taking time each day to meditate on God's goodness in our lives. It could involve intentionally reaching out to someone who seems isolated or left out. Or it might mean preparing our hearts to participate meaningfully in communion, remembering Christ's sacrifice that made our inclusion in God's family possible.

Closing Reminder

As we remember our journey from outsiders to beloved children of God, may we be filled with renewed wonder at the depth of God's love. May we be moved to worship Him more fully and love others more deeply. And may we never lose sight of the incredible privilege we have in being called God's own, not because of anything we've done, but because of everything He has done for us.

In a world that often feels divided and hostile, let's be people who remember our own story of redemption and use it as fuel to love extravagantly, welcome warmly, and point consistently to the God who brings outsiders in and makes the spiritually dead gloriously alive.

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