ILLEGAL ALIEN
An “illegal alien” is someone who roams a country; like, the United States of America, without being officially permitted to do so. Some reasons why these foreigners “sneak” into this country range from a craving to engage in unlawful activities to a desire for a “better life” for their self and/or their family. Unfortunately, their perceived need of something superior is the motive for choosing dishonesty over integrity. Regardless of the thought process behind their logic, they are choosing to be illegitimate inhabitants of this land. Don’t they know that life is less nerve-racking when it is done on the up-and-up?
The United States of America is a good country. Sure, it has its problems. Of course, it is not perfect. And, yes, there are vast arrays of opinions on almost every subject. Yet, many people seek its “salvation” for an improved life. In fact, for many foreigners, becoming a citizen does not take a miracle, in most cases, it just takes patience, background checks, school, and allegiance to the constitution of the United States of America above and beyond any other previously held citizenship. Now, those who are willing to seek their “salvation” with honor and respect, generally, have a productive and abundant life.
Similarly, there are illegal’s who have crept into God’s church/kingdom. “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4; cf. 2 Peter 2; 1 John; 2 John; 3 John, Jude). These pretenders do not have legal permission to be counted among the Lord’s church; that is, they don’t have citizenship (Matthew 13:24-30). In God’s community/reign, citizenship, and its blessings, cannot be stolen, bought, or forged into existence (Acts 5:1-10; 8:9-24). Citizenship in God’s body/sovereignty comes by profound allegiance in God’s Son and freewill choice to serve God in all good things (cf. Acts 2). Citizenship, and all its inherent rights, does not come through false litigation or counterfeit appearance. “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, [and] demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:13-18).
God wants all people to become citizens in His spiritual nation. However, He will not force people into giving their genuine allegiance to Him. He will not force people to accept His Son as the Messiah/Christ. In truth, God seeks no mass outpouring of votes to keep Him in office. (He does not want freeloaders). His convictions and legalities are beyond bribery and strong-arm tactics. Realistically, no one can “sneak” everlasting salvation. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:24-27).
All people, everywhere, must understand that a spiritual foreigner will never eternally benefit from hanging around true citizens of God unless they become and remain under God’s sovereignty. God seeks those who will respect Him and His “constitution”. Jesus, God’s Son, who has all authority in Heaven and Earth, said this to His apostles, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20; cf. Ephesians 1:20-21). Citizenship is for everyone if they choose it by means of God’s conditions. Are you a pretender or do you have true citizenship?
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
The United States of America is a good country. Sure, it has its problems. Of course, it is not perfect. And, yes, there are vast arrays of opinions on almost every subject. Yet, many people seek its “salvation” for an improved life. In fact, for many foreigners, becoming a citizen does not take a miracle, in most cases, it just takes patience, background checks, school, and allegiance to the constitution of the United States of America above and beyond any other previously held citizenship. Now, those who are willing to seek their “salvation” with honor and respect, generally, have a productive and abundant life.
Similarly, there are illegal’s who have crept into God’s church/kingdom. “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4; cf. 2 Peter 2; 1 John; 2 John; 3 John, Jude). These pretenders do not have legal permission to be counted among the Lord’s church; that is, they don’t have citizenship (Matthew 13:24-30). In God’s community/reign, citizenship, and its blessings, cannot be stolen, bought, or forged into existence (Acts 5:1-10; 8:9-24). Citizenship in God’s body/sovereignty comes by profound allegiance in God’s Son and freewill choice to serve God in all good things (cf. Acts 2). Citizenship, and all its inherent rights, does not come through false litigation or counterfeit appearance. “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, [and] demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:13-18).
God wants all people to become citizens in His spiritual nation. However, He will not force people into giving their genuine allegiance to Him. He will not force people to accept His Son as the Messiah/Christ. In truth, God seeks no mass outpouring of votes to keep Him in office. (He does not want freeloaders). His convictions and legalities are beyond bribery and strong-arm tactics. Realistically, no one can “sneak” everlasting salvation. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:24-27).
All people, everywhere, must understand that a spiritual foreigner will never eternally benefit from hanging around true citizens of God unless they become and remain under God’s sovereignty. God seeks those who will respect Him and His “constitution”. Jesus, God’s Son, who has all authority in Heaven and Earth, said this to His apostles, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20; cf. Ephesians 1:20-21). Citizenship is for everyone if they choose it by means of God’s conditions. Are you a pretender or do you have true citizenship?
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves