On Friday, August 6, my dear friend Elizabeth, about whom I’ve written before (for example, here), was sworn in as a citizen of the United States. We exchanged several phone calls, emails, and text messages in the days leading up to the big event.
My favorite text message came on the day of the ceremony: “I led the Pledge of Allegiance! can u believe it! Plz tell Rich.”
Elizabeth was honored to lead the pledge as she achieved her United States citizenship.
As for me, I was endowed with citizenship the day I was born. I didn’t have to do anything to earn it. I didn’t have to demonstrate my worthiness.
I was endowed with salvation the day I was born again. I couldn’t do anything to earn it. Demonstrating my worthiness would be impossible.
I’m not. God’s grace covers my unworthiness.
A few hundred years ago, countless men laid down their lives to create this free country. A few thousand years ago, Christ laid down His life to make possible my citizenship in the Kingdom of God.
Through no effort of my own, I’ve received two incredible gifts. One bestows me with privilege during my earthly life; The second, immeasurably greater, secures my eternal life.
God is good.
10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that He should make Jesus, through His suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.
Hebrews 2:10 (NLT)
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