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Pensamientos para hoy (afterthought for today)
Heaven's Immigration Policy
In one of his high school classes my son Mark recently watched the movie "Gangs of New York". I haven't seen the movie, but if you have seen or heard of it, then you know that it highlights tensions between native born U.S. citizens and Irish immigrants. Immigration to the United States is a volatile subject because many people feel threatened by what is thought to be an invasion by foreigners. Every wave of immigration has always been resisted. Whether the immigrant be Italian, Chinese, or Puerto Rican he or she often enters a new world of prejudice and hostility. Ironically, unless we are Native Americans (First Nation Aboriginal Peoples) or African-Americans whose ancestors were brought here involuntarily, all of us are here because someone in our family was one of those invading foreigners.
Every country has immigration policies. These policies are put in place to protect its citizens and social structures from being overwhelmed by too many immigrants. I don't have a lot of sympathy for those who in their country of origin are upper-middle to upper class and enter the U.S. illegally. Many of these "illegals" come from wealthy families in Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. I do, however, sympathize with the poor who at great cost and in the face of extreme danger come as political or economic refugees. I have lived in a country where many people lived on two dollars a day and who often had nothing to eat but rice. I've seen people die because of lack of medicines. And though I understand that the United States cannot save every person who is dying from a lack of proper nutrition or medicine, I've often wished to be able to bring them with me to the U.S.
These thoughts lead me to thoughts of a different kind of immigration problem. There is another place that is much more prosperous then the United States. In this place the gates are always open and its inhabitants welcome everyone with open arms, but its immigration policy is strictly enforced and prevents many people from entering. This place is Heaven. Heaven has a very tough immigration policy. You can only enter Heaven by one route--through faith in Messiah Jesus. Heaven has no quotas--as many people who come to Jesus may enter. Unfortunately, few people are willing to trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They enjoy the sins of the old earthly country better than the joys and blessing of the new heavenly country. Once you turn from the sins of the old life, however, you will forever be a changed person and a citizen of heaven The Bible says to those who have trusted in Jesus: "
You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household (Ephesians 2:19)." and "
Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20)."
I wish that I could take everyone with me when I go Heaven. But everyone must make their own journey. The most that I can do is point people in the right direction. The least that I can do is to try my best, to do everything I can, to help as many people as possible find Jesus who is the only way to Heaven.
Trying to Point People to the Promised Land,
Pastor Steve
Find more afterthoughts at Mas Pensamientos
(more afterthoughts)
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