Isn’t it interesting that when anyone in the world speaks of “America,” they’re talking of the United States! I’ve often wondered what the nations of Canada (much larger than the U.S.) and Mexico, all the countries of Central America, and the continent of South America…all those countries…Brazil, Peru, Argentina and all the rest. They’re “America,” as much as we are. The entire western hemisphere, made up of North, Central and South America…all are “Americans.”

But when you hear leaders or the man-on-the-street talking of “America,” you automatically know they mean the “United States” of America.

If you’re like me, you’re only connected with Canada through reading or on TV, but you never hear a Canadian speak of himself as an “American.” To me, it’s incredible, and yet bewildering, that you and I get the glory and the credit of being acceptable under that name.

There’s another name that takes in a vast number of people under one banner…the name “Christian.” But it’s in reverse order. Every person in every nation in the world who accepts Jesus as the Christ, wears the name “Christian,” It doesn’t matter if he’s from the jungles of Africa or the canals of Venice, Italy, or the icy igloos of the Arctic Circle, the Believers there are Christians.

The portion of that group that follow Christ’s teachings is boundless, and no country’s border can hold them, yet they’re peace-loving and have a tendency to let non-believers run over them, making laws that constrain them and would erase them completely, except that God can’t be blotted out. And we Christians patiently await the Great Judgment Day when the evil one will himself be put in the place of torment where he has captured so many people.

You don’t have to join him, you know. Freedom from him has already been set up for you and is simply waiting for you to accept. I’d suggest that you just stop what you’re doing right now and have a little talk with Jesus Christ. Tell Him you’re ready to accept His gift as your Heavenly home at the end of this life, then act on it. Smartest move you’ll ever make.