Three of our children were born in Tanzania. I was surprised to learn that if American residents bear a child in any nation on the face of the earth, the child is actually still a citizen of America. That is how ordinary citizenship works: it depends on the parents’ citizenship.


What is the good news about the kingdom of God? One of the most amazing and exciting truths is that any human being can become a citizen of the kingdom of God. In fact, it makes no difference at all who your parents are. They cannot confer their heavenly citizenship on you. Citizenship in the kingdom of heaven has nothing at all to do with physical birth.


At first glance, Jesus’ words to Nicodemus seem restrictive. Truly, they are some of the most exhilarating truths in the Gospel. Though it all makes little sense to someone outside the kingdom, any man or woman, boy or girl, rich or poor, son of king or daughter of a servant is invited to enter this new, wonderful kingdom. Through His Spirit, He welcomes you home, child of the King!