Heb. 11:1-13 (13)
Have you ever been to a foreign country? The only countries that I have been in beside the United States of America include Canada, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Myanmar (Burma). I had the same experience in all of these foreign countries.
Although my visits to these foreign countries were brief and beneficial, I had an inner longing to return to my home in the United States of America. It was there that I felt the tension disperse from my body. I reminded myself that I had freedoms and privileges that even other free countries envy. This also reminded me that although I love my country and at home here . . . in a real sense I am not at home. I am only a pilgrim, a stranger passing through. My citizenship is in heaven. One day a King came to visit and saw that I was an orphan, helpless and alone. In love, pity and mercy He adopted me and made me His son. At that time He gave me citizenship in His country. Since that time I have been trying to learn to be like His only begotten Son because I want to be well prepared to enter the Pearly White city and enjoy my citizenship in heaven forever!
Dr. Gayle Woods
Col. 3:12-17 (12)
When the caterpillar began to break through the crust of his cocoon he looked different! It was amazing! A change had taken place. Now he had wings! He was beautiful! No longer was he satisfied to crawl through the dirt. Now he would soar daintily in the breeze above the disgusting filth below. He would only stop in flight to gain rest or nourishment. It was different now. He had been transformed.
When I left the altar of repentance I was also different. God had forgiven me for the sinful life that I had lived. He also made me righteous. He gave me a reputation to live up to – Christs. He set a standard of holiness before me and told me in His Word that this was what was expected of me. I immediately began to do my best to please Him. My habits had to be changed. My associations with the world were severely altered. My appetite and my attention were now on spiritual things – the things of God.
Was this a negative experience for me? Yes. But it was also a wonderfully positive experience. Old things were passed away… the old self was abandoned… the old way of living came to a stop. But all things became new. Nothing compares to living a holy life for Jesus Christ!
Dr. Gayle Woods
