Our passport is stamped

Alaska Yukon Canada border

Philippians 3:20 (ESV)

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Day thirteen of our Alaska Adventure we started our morning in Beaver Creek in Yukon, Canada. Since we were so close to Canada we thought it would be fun to add it to our adventure. To return to the USA we had to use our passport to cross the border.

American citizens flying to and from neighboring nations like Canada and Mexico used to get by with carrying a birth certificate or, in some cases, just a driver’s license as a travel document. Not anymore! Now we’re all required to carry a valid US passport. Without that document, you don’t get out, and you don’t get back in.

You know, a passport is an interesting little book. If you’re arriving in your home country, your passport usually enables you to bypass the long lines of visitors.

But that’s not always true when you’re away from home.  Dr. Erwin Lutzer, the pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, has often traveled in countries closed to the gospel. He has some very interesting stories of how, upon arrival in these countries, he is usually hassled and questioned extensively because the guards think he’s an agent for the CIA or, better yet, a Bible smuggler! Well, after an excruciating experience at a border crossing, he said, “You know what I love? I love the thought that when I get to heaven . . . with Jesus on my passport, there will be no hassles at the border.”

Wow, what a great thought! Over and over again in Scripture we are reminded that, although this world is our temporary home, we’re not to get too comfortable here. Our true home is in heaven where our citizenship resides. We can look forward to being welcomed into our true home, based not on our attempt at good works or our earthly accomplishments, but based on a spiritual passport stamped with the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, thank You that because of what You did for each of us we have our passport stamped and will be welcomed home. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Do You Have Your Passport?

Romans 3:23-27 (NIV)

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded."

Have you ever looked into the mysteries of God's grace? There is no room for misinterpretation here. We have been justified through and through by the merits of Jesus' blood. Salvation is bestowed on us by His grace. It is all God's doing. The only part we play is to graciously accept His gift.

The problem is that we like to have a part to play. Many insist that we can't be saved unless we work hard at becoming a better person, which can only be done once Jesus lives in our hearts. We forget that: "Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded."

It's all about God's grace. We are the ones who rebelled against Him. We are the ones who wandered away, planning on an independent life far from Him. He is the One who initiated this costly reconciliation. He is the One who paid the price for our rebellion, extending His hand towards us with a reconciliatory embrace. It has nothing to do about what we do. In fact, even though our actions tell us otherwise, all we do while pretending to be godly is to err farther and farther from Him!

As we think about Grace let’s at Nik Wallenda.  You may remember seeing Nik Wallenda walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. He had begun his walk in New York, on the US side of the falls, and ended up in Ontario, Canada. He was filmed by literally thousands of journalists, and was broadcasted to the four corners of our planet.

As soon as Nik stepped onto Canadian soil, two things happened: He was hugged by his biggest fans, his family; and he was greeted by the Canadian border patrol, asking him to show his American passport!

Nik could have argued with these officials. He could have said, "Come on! You know who I am! I am the one who walked across the Falls on a tightrope. I literally brought hundreds of thousands of tourist to your town. I deserve to be welcomed into Canada with open arms. I don't need to show my passport!"

But Nik not being that kind of a guy graciously handed over his passport that he had carefully carried in his back pocket during his stunning performance, and when the border patrol him asked the purpose of his trip, his response was simple: "To inspire people."

No matter how grandiose they may be, our performances do not ensure us free entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. Just like Nik Wallenda, we need a "passport". And our "passport" is called grace. It can only be obtained by having complete faith in Jesus, the Christ. He is our guarantee, He is our passport. He is the One who carried us over the chasm into eternity.

"Our real passport is in heaven. Don’t leave Earth without it”

Dear Lord, we thank You for the passport that You have made available for each of us. Help us share the passport with somebody today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.