Poem: Green Card

Joseph, I really like your Poem.
I sense that this is not just a poem, but "It is really How You Feel".
Great Post.

Thank you; to me, Christianity is a mindset and lifestyle choice. --Joe

Yes! I Do Believe that!

I am blown away by your creation.

Today belongs to mist

Please elaborate - I'm curious as to what you mean. --Joe

Very lovely!
Thanks for posting to my group, Anythingwriting

One thing that has never added up to me is what a superior position Christians see themselves in. Luckily for them they were born in such a situation that basically they were carrying their "green card" to heaven from their exit from the cradle.

I'd love to see the opposite perspective of this poem from the person (a vast majority) that not only shows up to the "pearly gates" without the "green card", but passed through their entire mortal life not even knowing such a green card was expected. Indeed, as you say, they find that really all they are is "worthless" at that point.

God certainly isn't a respecter of persons, however, because my "green card" bible tells me so.

I agree in that God is "no respecter of persons" as mentioned in the Bible. Salvation is a gift that is offered to everyone; however, not everyone will accept that gift. That rejection (of Christ's gift) does not make me (or any Christian) superior in any way, for one must humble themselves to accept Salvation. We will all stand and bow before Christ on Judgment Day - unfortunately, not everyone will get to stay in His presence for the remainder of eternity. --Joe

Joe, are you forgetting the vast amount of people (majority!!!) of people who have lived and died having never even heard of "Jesus"? Joe, the vast majority of people haven't heard of the gift you speak of.

I personally know people who 'accepted Christ' without a formal introduction from the Church or Christians. So Salvation is within everyone's grasp. The evidence of God can be found outside the written Word.

What will it take for you to write the poem 'for opposite perspective'?

Like the majority of humans,
I’m living here on Earth temporarily;
ask to see my “spiritual green card” -
a puzzled look is my reply.

Being a stranger to all things "jesus"
makes me a normal and typical human being,
living my life ethically and honestly
basically beening as good a human as I can.

Earth, I descover, is not my final home -
For I live on the neather regions of Earth;
never found any need for Christ
I never knew my worthlessness.

Was I one of the unsure -- no.
Having never read the Bible
I didn't comprehend the needed "passport"
until condemned in Heaven’s court.

I take it you are a universalist John. I have a friend from Holland who is the same. We debated off and on for years & neither changed the other one.
UNLESS ... as he indicated, (and after searching I found to be mostly true) hell (whatever that is) only lasts (as most times it says in Greek) till the end of an age.

But choosing to put faith in the Creator (JC under another name :) is still required for this age per clear Bible teaching.

I absolutely loved your poem Joseph.

Glome, I'd just assume God would be a universalist and not an elitist. I really don't know how a christian interprets the strong distinctions between willful sinners -vs- the what-is-sin types when it finally becomes relevant at the "pearly gates". The poem by Joseph seems to assume worthlessness of even the what-is-sin types -- in my book that's a pretty cold and cruel god they have.

John Haake - Christians are docile and receptive to God’s call and so they deserved to be among the elite, whereas there are others who do not qualify for such a sublime call. They either reject, refuse, discard or ignore a call by God under one pretext or the other like they have no time to listen to God’s call, they are happy in their existing state, or that they that they just do not want a change over from their mediocre life. Thus the majority did not deserve to be within the elite or failed in the implied test by God.

If a person preaches to others for 24 hours it is not necessary that the audience would receive the call to renounce mediocrity for a life of excellence. It is not necessary that even one would have received the message in good part.

Even the extremists who have dared challenge the world know that they are on the wrong path but are deliberately making a kill for pleasure. So it should not come as a surprise that Christians merited to be counted among the elite flock of God on account of their own good. Yes, salvation is there for all provided we renounce evil and take up the cross and follow Jesus Christ in the way He Himself taught us. Have a nice day.

This poem reminds me of the hymn, This World is not My Home.

Thanks for your comment - I was unfamilar with this hymn (until looking it up on the Internet); for those also unfamiliar with it....


This World Is Not My Home

This world is not my home I'm just passing through
my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

(Chorus) O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore


They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know
my savior pardoned me and now I onward go
I know He'll take me through though I am weak and poor
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

(Chorus) O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore


Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally
the Saints on every hand are shouting victory
their song of sweetest praise drifts back from Heaven's shore
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

(Chorus) O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

I am also reminded of that hymn, Amber. Nice work, Joseph.

Joseph, thank you. Such a beautiful conviction.

Joseph - an excellent poem, full of spirituality and a worthy salutation in praise of God. Have a wonderful day – may you be showered as many graces as your disposition in the sight of God.

Excellent, insightful poem.

Congratulations on being featured at Gathering4Jesus :)

I also mentioned you on a post by Connie C. looking for Gather authors.

Thank you! --Joe

A good poem, Joseph. Thank you. And, thanks for standing for your convections, while letting another have their say.

This is excellent Joseph.

Very, very beautiful, Joseph, and oh so true! I, also, am a Christian and do NOT live FOR this world.....I live for HIM........I have no intention of "impressing" any human beings....my heart belongs to my Lord.......this earth is only temporary....I truly feel that very, very soon, we Christians will be going home!!!!!!
I really, really love the song, "This World Is Not My Home." It is very true for me......I am very proud to be a Christian.....although it's very difficult having to live among so much hatred and evil in this world! I keep telling myself this life is ONLY temporary.....sure can't wait to see all my loved ones who've gone on ahead of me....woohooo, what a day that will be!!!!!
Bless you, Joseph for sharing such beautiful words!

Thanks for sharing this

That's the same feelings and sentiments that inspire "Jihads" and other "Holy Wars" -- this life is cheep -- especially when my "eternal reward" is assured.

Blow myself away for God's cause and I've got 70 virgins to look forward too.

Those darn Arabs own the oil we (righteous christians) want -- let's go assure that oil keeps flowing into our pockets and away from those "heathens".

Life is cheep once "christ" gives the "eternal" gift.

Santa Claus is real too.

Lovely bit of poetry. Thank you.

Now featured at GSE: Examining Our Religion.

A very enjoyable read. Thanks for sharing.