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“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…” Ephesians 2:19

When we are “alienated” from someone, we are estranged from them—separated. The relationship is damaged. If you’ve experienced this with a friend, for example, something likely happened to create this sense of disconnectedness. Maybe it was a deep disagreement or lack of forgiveness. Today, in fact, alienation between friends and family is happening at an alarming (and very, very sad) rate because of the current cultural divisiveness.

But, friend, did you know that the very first experience of alienation happened with our original parents—Adam and Eve—in the Garden? When they chose to sin and ignore God’s plan for their lives, their perfect relationship with Him was broken. They were alienated from God, and their sin opened the door to bodily death and earthly demise. And because of that first sin choice, we—every human-race relative of the First Couple—are also estranged from God.

But God, through Jesus Christ, reconciled Himself to us (Colossians 1:21-23). He restored that perfect relationship we were originally created to have. Does that mean we are “perfect” humans once we accept the sacrifice made by Christ on our behalf? Not at all! But our relationship with God is made right, and we are made righteous to stand before our righteous God. It is in response to that restoration that we walk in the direction of obedience, standing firm on God’s Word, and becoming more and more like Jesus as we move through this world.

And as one alienation ceases, another one begins.

See, sister, once our relationship with God is restored, we must then alienate—separate—ourselves from this world. We cannot be in the world and of it. We can no longer love the same things the world loves while we love and serve the Lord (1 John 2:15-17). We become “aliens” in this life—we’re no longer citizens here but in heaven (Phil 3:20). And as citizens of heaven and servants of the King of kings, we are called to be holy (set apart) as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:15).

Ah, but we must also separate ourselves without isolating! We can’t hide away our newfound light under a basket (Matthew 5:14-15; Mark 4:21; Luke 11:33). As citizens of heaven, we are also meant to be ambassadors of our King—resident aliens who share the good news of restoration to those who are now alienated from God.

“Lord, thank You for restoring my relationship with You through Your Son, Jesus. May I represent Your kingdom well.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life