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REFLECTION

Open borders is the theme for our reflection. An open border is a border that enables free movement of people (and often of goods) between jurisdictions with no restrictions on movement or lack of substantive border control. The New Heaven and New Earth which is the New Jerusalem or Kingdom of God is given a vivid celestial description from Revelation 21:15-23.

The gates or borders of the New Jerusalem are open to people of ervery nation and their kings. “By its light will t“he nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.” (Revelation 21:24-26). In other words, the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ is available to all people on the earth. The borders of God’s Kingdom is open to all.

There is however a strong caveat, the fact that borders are opened to all does not mean all people can pass through it or have a place in the Kingdom of God. The only caveat or restriction place on the open borders of the New Jerusalem is that “… nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27). How then do we become clean to have our names written in the book of life so as to go through the open borders of the New Jerusalem? Dear friend in the Lord, you must repent, accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, be baptised if you have not yet done so, for we “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10). Again Paul reminds us that “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8). In other words, to become clean to enter the New Jerusalem, we need to be sanctified by the blood of Jesus through faith. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17). Is Christ your Lord and Saviour? Do you have the conviction that your name is written in the book of life on account of your relationship with Jesus Christ? Are you clean after critically reflecting on your life in the light of today’s Scripture reading? Shalom

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, enable us by the power of the Holy Spirit to remain sanctified and clean through your priceless blood. Merciful Lord, let our names be written in the book of life so that we shall join the saints to enter gloriously through the open borders of your Kingdom. Amen