Dear Precious Friends,
I'm nosey about you! I have questions about my old and new friends.
Where were you born? Trick question? You betcha! Physically, I was born in Cleveland, Ohio. My birth was legally registered. In a courtroom in downtown Cleveland a few months later my name was changed from Miller to Peters. Quit an undertaking for a baby to change his name, but the baby didn't do it. It was my new parents who did it when they adopted me. The judge approved and I became the Peters' bouncing baby born.
Years later I was born again. The date was Tuesday February 10, 1970. It occurred at Malone College (University now) in Canton, Ohio at 10:30 am. I had received into my life that day my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
Although I eventually received just two years later a B.A. Diploma from Malone, no one from the college or Canton's government ever offered me a new birth certificate. Yet, unknown to me God was registering me as being born.
I began this little exercise by asking where were you born? Psalm 87 tells me I have been born in the City of God. I was registered in Zion. By faith, when I received Christ into my life, I was born-again into the Kingdom of God. Christ registered me as His own.
The only ones who are citizens of Heaven must be registered as born in Zion by trusting Christ. There are no exceptions to this right of citizenship and inheritance.
See for yourself the words of Psalm 87
1 A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
A Song. His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! Selah
4 "I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: 'This one was born there.' "
5 And of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her; And the Most High Himself shall establish her."
6 The Lord will record, When He registers the peoples: "This one was born there." Selah
7 Both the singers and the players on instruments say, "All my springs are in you."
Everyone who is born into the world are born in the spirit of this world. We are born like the hostile world that surrounds us. Our very nature at birth is sinful.
Furthermore, if we are not born by faith in Christ we have no understanding whatsoever of the greatness of God or of His Heaven or His City. The world's combined with our own darkness makes our understanding of God very foggy. Jesus put it this way:
John 3
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Notice that Jesus said you cannot see or enter the Kingdom of God unless you are born again. This is an absolute! Unless you by faith receive in your life Christ, you will not be allowed in Heaven.
Where were you born? Where do you plan to go when you die?
When you die you will go to either Heaven or Hell. Its your choice and what you choose has eternal ramifications.
Your citizenship and birthright is in Heaven or Hell. Choose wisely! You need to be registered in Heaven and that is only done when you follow Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Physically, I was born in Cleveland. However, when I am asked where I come from I want this answer to spring from my lips: "Zion The City of my God." What an opportunity to witness for Christ!
