Countless millions have longed to enter the United States seeking freedom and opportunity. Still, as great as this nation may be, there is one far greater: the “holy nation” built by Jesus Christ nearly 2,000 years ago (1 Pet. 2:9). The USA will not last forever, but Christ’s nation/kingdom/church will last forever and ultimately be “delivered up” to Heaven (Dan. 2:44; Matt. 16:18–19, 28; 1 Cor. 15:24; Eph. 5:23). Regarding immigration into Christ’s holy nation:
We Must Go Through the Legal Process – Just as legal steps are required to become a U.S. citizen, the same is true spiritually. One must hear, believe, repent, confess faith in Christ to others, be immersed in water for forgiveness, and live faithfully (Matt. 10:32; Acts 2:38–41, 47; Rev. 2:10). Christ, the King, has a law today (Matt. 28:18–20; 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2), and we cannot bypass it and still be true citizens. Some try to bypass Christ’s Law and “pray” their way into His kingdom, which is His church, but that does not work (Prov. 28:9; Isa. 59:1–2; John 9:31; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:12). Only those who enter legally are true citizens.
To Be United, We Must Speak the Same Language – God commands His people to speak as “the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11), to “speak the same thing” and be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). Many today speak a different “language” than the Bible. They misuse terminology like “pastor,” “calling on the name of the Lord,” etc., and they also invent their own religious terminology. True unity is only possible when we speak as God speaks (Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Pet. 4:11).
We Enter the Nation for Freedom – Nations like the U.S.A. offer many freedoms, but freedom from sin is only found in Christ (John 8:31–32; Rom. 6:17–18; 8:2). Those who obey Him are added to His church, the one body of Christ (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13; Heb. 5:9). This freedom is not the kind that allows us to do as we please, but the kind that enables us to live as we were created to live (Eccl. 12:13; 1 Cor. 6:20; Rev. 4:11).
We Can Lose That Freedom – Just as a citizen can lose his freedom by breaking the law, Christians can return to bondage if they stray (Gal. 5:1–4; Jam. 5:19–20; 2 Pet. 2:20–22). We must keep walking in the light (1 John 1:7), assembling and worshiping faithfully (John 4:23–24; Heb. 10:25–26), and living holy lives (1 Pet. 1:14–17).
The “golden door” is open—not to a worldly country, but to a heavenly kingdom. Citizens of Christ’s Kingdom have their true citizenship in Heaven (Php. 3:20). Are you willing to obey the King’s Law and legally become a citizen of His holy nation?
One day the door into the kingdom will be shut (Matt. 25:10–11). Those outside will be eternally locked out of Heaven. Become a faithful citizen of Christ’s holy nation before it’s too late.