Issue 803 – Crossing Borders – July 19, 2022
Yesterday, we took a quick day trip south of the border to Bellingham, Washington State. It was our first trip across the line in some years. Our goal was to go for the drive and check out some of the general area.
We stopped for a late lunch at Mi Mexico restaurant. The atmosphere was bright and festive, the service great, and the food excellent at a reasonable price. We wouldn’t hesitate to go back again.
We also picked up a couple of small items at Walmart, but the goal wasn’t to e a shopping trip. We will take some time at a future date and explore the area more thoroughly.
Of course, going south meant crossing borders to leave Canada and enter the USA, followed by leaving the USA and entering Canada. We exited Canada at Abbotsford/Sumas and returned via Aldergrove. The border agents on both sides were polite and professional.
We live in a world of borders and boundaries. Some are clear, like the borders between nations. Typically those boundaries are patrolled and guarded.
Smaller boundaries such as the line between neighbouring city lots may not have official guards but are often clearly marked. Many a feud has begun by trespassing on a neighbour’s property.
There is a boundary line that many people don’t like to think about, the line between life and death. In North America, we have largely institutionalized death in our efforts to be spared. We spend billions of dollars to appear young and delay the inevitable.
I do not doubt that someone in a lab is working on plans to extend life forever. That desire to live forever is part of the reason stories about vampires are so popular.
In terms of physical death, we might approach the border many times. We might even cross over for a short period. Many people report near-death experiences and have been declared dead only to return. We can say that someone is near death or barely alive and be entirely accurate.
In spiritual terms, there is no being “nearly.” A person is either spiritually alive in Christ or dead in their sins. No one is almost a Christian. Either you have Christ, or you do not.
Not everyone will agree with my theology on this next point, but I remain convinced. Once we cross the line and are truly born again, we can never return to spiritual deadness.
Our salvation is ordained, paid for and held secure by Christ. It is not of our doing; it is by grace alone. Since it is not of us, we cannot undo it.
We are safe in the hands of the Father.
[Jesus said] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. John 10:28-29
The Spirit seals us
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
We are firmly held against all comers.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:33-39
Even if you disagree with me on that point, there is no doubt about the boundary between life and death. You cannot cross on your own power. There is no middle ground.
There is safety and eternity with Christ, by grace through faith in Christ. There is dead in our sins and destined for eternal torment. The border is Christ. No one gets past Him that He does not allow.
None of us deserve to get past Him; it is only by His grace and mercy. Attempts under our own merit will result in getting turned back.
If you are His, celebrate His grace and patience. If you’re not His you need to seriously evaluate His claims.
Without Jesus, you are confined to eternity apart from Him.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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