After months of planning and anticipation, the day had finally arrived. We were planning to take a nine-day trip to Alberta, Canada, to visit family. The excitement was running high. Preparations had been made. Food and clothing were packed. As we gathered the last few items, I remembered a very important item: the envelope of passports and birth certificates. After retrieving them from the safe, I carefully counted to make sure they were all there. One short. I counted again, but mine was missing. I rummaged through the safe, assuming it had slipped out of place, but with no success. The search broadened and intensified. We gathered for prayer. Searches were conducted in every place we could think of: desk drawers, closets, even under the bed. We tried to fight off the growing sense of panic and desperation. To make matters worse, we discovered that not only was my passport missing, my birth certificate and social security card were also gone. The options were grim. Slowly the truth of the matter became crystal clear - even though we had prepared in many ways and packed many “good” things, it was futile to attempt to make the trip without the missing passport.
Thankfully, after 2 hours of searching, the lost passport was indeed found. The feeling of desperation followed by incredible relief will not be soon forgotten. The experience left an indelible impression on our minds.
We are all on the greatest of journeys, traveling from time to eternity, from this world to the world to come. There are two, and only two, destinations to this journey: Heaven or Hell. There is one, and only one, passport that will allow people to enter heaven.
This passport is variously described in Scripture, but the message is always the same. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” is one way God describes the passport to heaven. Those, and only those, who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb will be spared the wrath of God and welcomed into heaven.
Two verses in John 3 convey this imperative message in slightly different words. “He that believeth on him is not condemned” (John 3:18). “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36). God has one way of salvation. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
The Bible commands, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Many do not understand what the only passport is that God recognizes. The way is profound yet simple. Many think they can be granted access into heaven on their own terms. They dream up ways of appeasing God. They assume their preparation of good works and a disciplined life will make the difference when they reach the border.
If you to enter another country without a passport, or with a fake passport, you will be in trouble. If you plan to meet God without the only passport He recognizes, you will certainly not enter heaven. If you present Him with what most people think will grant them access into heaven, you will be turned away.
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt 7:22-23).
Do you have a passport to heaven? Is it signed and authorized by the blood of Jesus? It is freely available to every sinner who applies to God for His gift of salvation by faith in Christ. Do not think of traveling out of this country without it. And do not wait to find it until you reach the border—it will be too late. Find yours today.
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