Jayla’s Passport

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:4-9

“I hope I didn’t forget anything,” Jayla said on the way to the airport. She and her brother Everett were going to spend two weeks in England with their older sister and her husband who lived there.

“Well, if you forgot something, now is the time to remember—before we get too far from home,” Dad replied.

“I saw you put the passports in your purse, Jayla,” said Mom. “You haven’t taken them out at all, have you?”

“Nope. They’re right here.” Jayla opened her purse and took out the passports. “Oh no!” she exclaimed as she looked at them.

Dad slowed down. “What’s wrong?”

“I have Mom’s passport instead of mine!” Jayla said. “They were in the same drawer, and I picked up the wrong one.”

“Calm down. We have plenty of time,” said Dad as he looked for a place to turn the car around. “It’s a good thing you discovered it now though. Mom’s passport wouldn’t get you into England.”

Mom nodded thoughtfully. “I’m going to have to tell Mrs. Lewis about this experience,” she said.

“Why?” Everett asked. “Is she planning a trip overseas?”

“I don’t think so, but I’ve been talking to her about Jesus lately, and every time I do, she always tells me about the wonderful Christian parents she has,” replied Mom. “I’ve told her that having Christian parents doesn’t make her a Christian, but she still seems to think it does.”

“I see what Mom’s getting at,” said Everett as they headed back home.

Dad nodded. “When we trust in Jesus and receive His goodness, it’s like receiving a passport that shows us to be citizens of God’s kingdom. Jayla can’t get into England on Mom’s passport, and Mrs. Lewis can’t get into heaven on her parents’ passports—she needs to have her own.”

“Everybody has to trust Jesus for themselves, don’t they?” Everett asked.

“That’s right.” Dad smiled in the rearview mirror. “Much as I hate to backtrack, it will be worth it if it helps Mrs. Lewis understand that she needs to know and trust in Jesus herself.”

Jayla grinned. “In that case, you can thank me for grabbing the wrong passport!”

• Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?

Do you expect to get into heaven because you have Christian parents? They’re a blessing, but their salvation—their citizenship in God’s kingdom—will not give you salvation. You need to receive God’s righteousness through faith in His Son, Jesus. Trust Him as your Savior today. It’s a decision nobody can make for you—you must make it for yourself. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)

Today’s Key Verse:
Philippians 3:9 Not having my own righteousness…but that which is through faith in Christ. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Salvation is a personal choice