A Missionary’s Passport
By S. G. WHITE
A PASSPORT is issued by a country to one of its citizens, giving his nationality, stating the name of the country or countries through which the recipient expects to travel, and making known what purpose the person has as the object of the journey, and the length of time for which the permit is issued. If properly signed and stamped, it permits the holder to travel through the specified countries with the assurance of a safe conduct while engaged in the pursuit of the business named on the passport. Should one holding a passport meet with misfortune, it enables him, on the credit of the country to which he belongs, to receive necessary succor with the assurance that such help will be repaid by his government. It has behind it all the power of the holder’s country to protect, but in no case does it give the person, while in a strange land, the right to deal with insults received or with hindrances placed in his way to retard his progress. All these have to be referred to his home government for redress. Abuse inflicted upon a member of one country while traveling in a strange land has to be answered for by the offender as if the slight was offered to the country. In just so far as the country visited respects or fears the power which issues the passport will it allow passage and make sure that all hindering causes are cleared away. Jesus commanded his disciples that they should “love one another.” By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,” citizens of heaven. See John 13:34, 35. God so loved that he sent my Jesus; and as Jesus was sent, so he sends us into the world to proclaim the same message, and with the same credentials, love. John 3:16; 17:18. After we have received our passport, we hear our King saying, “Go ye . . . and teach all nations.” Matt. 28:19. It matters not where, how great the difficulties, or what the danger, we go fearing nothing, as our passport, perfect love, “casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18), and we realize that behind that word “go” is “all power . . . in heaven and in earth” to protect and guide, “even unto the end of the world.” If we are called upon to suffer abuse, it is not an individual matter. We refer it all to the government sending us, knowing that all will be settled; for the Lord has said, “I will repay.” Rom. 12:19. Make a study of your passport. Does it reveal your citizenship? Has it imprinted not only a little picture of yourself in one corner, but across the whole face of it a likeness of your King? In order to be genuine, it must reveal God. God is love.