Day 52 – Eternal Immigration

A lot has been said recently about illegal immigration and where countries and presidential ideologies clash in certain beliefs and convictions.  Regardless of what you believe in regards to this important issue, our calling as Christ-followers goes far beyond any national policy or personal conviction.  Jesus came for the whosoever, and this might take us beyond the boundaries of any one country or law.  I am not saying that we break the laws of the country we live in, but we ought to begin to recognize that Christ’s sovereignty goes far beyond any border or one nation.  In the eternal perspective race, age, gender, nationality or immigration status does not matter – we are all humans who need the love and salvation of an Almighty God.

Philippians 3:20 says this, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…”  When Jesus came to earth he declared that the kingdom of Heaven was here.  We can begin to live this kingdom living today!  We do not need to wait until we die and go to heaven, for our Eternal Immigration has already been approved!  If we have believed in Jesus Christ as Messiah of our lives, we have this eternal kingdom already taking up residence within us in our lives.  So how can we live this eternal immigration out loud?  How can we live as kingdom people?  There are really two ways to express this…the first and most important is to the love the Lord your God.  The second is because of this outpouring of that love for God – it is the love of others…even those who may not look like you, act like you or come from where you call ‘home’.  We serve a global God, with a broad love that transcends all divides.  When His people, who are set apart and live out holiness, they are not only citizens of heaven, they begin to display this irresistible love for everyone, including our enemies.

How can you live out this eternal citizenship today?
How might you display your love for God and also this love for all who you might meet on this very day?  Pray for those you will meet today.  Ask God for wisdom and guidance in how you interact with others and in how you live out loud – this holy eternal citizenship.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, thank you for loving me!  I want to live for you alone!  Help me to love you back, and as I do also help me to love those I meet along the way.  I pray for those who are not my friends…I pray for my enemies and for those I do not get along with.  In this “living for you” grant me your eyes to see those around me.  I am your child, thank you for this great blessing of salvation!  In your name I pray these things.  -Amen.