A Citizen Now
A CITIZEN NOW
Read Hebrews 11:13-16.
Todd looked over at his mother as she hung up the telephone. “I heard you tell Mrs. Lewis you’d be a witness. Did she have an accident?” he asked.
Mom smiled. “No, Mrs. Lewis wants to become an American citizen. I’m going to be a character witness for her.”
“But she lives here,” Todd said. “Isn’t she an American citizen?”
“No,” Mom replied. “Living in America doesn’t automatically make her an American. She was born in another country and came here when she got married. Now she has applied for citizenship.”
When Mrs. Lewis was sworn in as a United States citizen a few months later, they all went out for ice cream to celebrate. “Why did you decide to become an American citizen?” Todd asked her.
“There was a lot I couldn’t do before,” Mrs. Lewis explained. “I couldn’t vote, hold a public office, or do certain jobs. I’m glad to give up my citizenship in my former country and become a citizen here.”
“That’s what happens when we become Christians,” Dad said. “We pledge our loyalty to Christ.”
“That’s right,” Mom said. “No one is automatically a Christian, because in a sense, we’re all born in a ‘foreign country’—this world. To become a citizen of heaven, we must accept Jesus as Savior.”
“And being a Christian gives us privileges,” added Dad. “We receive forgiveness from sin and a home in heaven. God cares for our needs. Jesus prays for us, and the Holy Spirit guides us.”
“I’m a citizen of the United States now,” Mrs. Lewis said proudly. “But I’m a citizen of heaven, too. That’s even better.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Where is your citizenship? Have you personally asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior? You must make that decision to become a citizen of heaven.
TO MEMORIZE:
We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
Philippians 3:20
SALVATION ISN’T AUTOMATIC.
From the book
