THE VALID TICKET

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" John 3:3 

Basically, there are two types of passengers at the airport: those with valid tickets and those on standby (without tickets). The posture and confidence level of these two types of passengers are not the same. While those with tickets are very calm, those on standby are worried as they stand the chance of missing their flight. 

Everyone on earth are passengers waiting for the last flight to eternity. When the plane arrives, only the passengers with valid tickets will board while others will be turned back at the boarding gate. The boarding process will be very systematic and thorough. It will be practically impossible for anyone without a valid ticket to board. Then, the question is, how can one obtain a valid ticket before the last flight arrives?

In John 3:1-16, Jesus Christ told a prominent Jewish religious leader- Nicodemus that the only way to secure a seat in the plane to eternity is to be born again. Salvation is the ticket to the City of Gold above. There is no other name that can secure a place for man in heaven other than the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). 

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" - Acts  4:12

Beloved, the earth is a transit station (Hebrews 11:13-16). The time for our final departure is gradually approaching. The check-in counter and boarding gate will soon be closed. But what will be your fate on that day? Do you have a valid ticket or are you still on standby? Is your name on the kingdom manifest of Heaven (i.e. the Book of Life)? Do you think being religious like Nicodemus can earn you a valid ticket to heaven? It is too risky to miss the last flight out of this world. Therefore, please secure a seat on the plane to eternity with God today by repenting and surrendering your life to the pilot of our soul. I can assure you that you will never regret you did. 

The hymn below summaries the conversation that Jesus had with the religious leader in John 3 about the valid ticket:

A RULER ONCE CAME TO JESUS  By W. T. Sleeper (1819-1904)

1. A ruler once came to Jesus by night,

To ask Him the way of salvation and light;

The Master made answer in words true and plain,

Refrain:

     “Ye must be born again!”

   “Ye must be born again!”

     “Ye must be born again!”

      “I verily, verily say unto thee,

       Ye must be born again!”

2. Ye children of men, attend to the word

So solemnly uttered by Jesus, the Lord,

And let not this message to you be in vain,

    “Ye must be born again.”

3. Oh, ye who would enter that glorious rest,

And sing with the ransomed the song of the blest;

The life everlasting if ye would obtain,

    “Ye must be born again.”

As the second coming of Christ approaches or draws nearer, may we not tear or throw away our valid tickets before our departure time in Jesus name, Amen. 

Good day and God bless you. 

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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