LightGrams
June 12, 2025
Volume 29, Number 18
May 7, 2025 was the official start date for having to provide REAL ID when boarding a flight. The law requiring this strengthening of security was passed in 2005, but the official beginning was pushed back several times for various reasons. The most recent delay was due to COVID.
A REAL ID is issued by your state’s licensing agency (think, driver’s license). By providing various forms of identification, you’ll receive a new license with a symbol on the top showing that it’s REAL ID-compliant. As you can imagine, DMVs across the country were swamped in the days leading up to May 7. A rumor began circulating that a Costco membership card would be accepted as a substitute. For all who are members of that warehouse purchasing club, that was great news.
But the good news was fake news. Earlier this week the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that Costco cards may be good for hot dogs and rotisserie chicken, but it won’t allow you to board a flight. It’s time to get back in line at your local DMV! But even before that it would be a good idea to consult the TSA website to find you what you should bring to that meeting.
Jesus spoke of people who were trying to “board” the kingdom of heaven. “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:22,23).
Based on popular thinking, we might say that those people had REAL ID. They were doing religious deeds, and they were doing them in the name of Jesus. Isn’t that good enough, we might ask? After all, we frequently hear it said that “Sincerity is all you need to please God.”
To understand the problem, go back and read Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Did you catch the important word – “does”? It’s the same point Jesus was making in Luke 6:46: “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” Such passages clearly teach that good intentions alone are not enough. The Costco cards won’t get you on your flight, and good intentions without obedience won’t get you into the kingdom of heaven.
Would you rather be a wise builder or a foolish builder? Look at Matthew 7:24 to see the detail that must not be overlooked: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Hearing Jesus’ words is good, but it’s not enough. Those who hear Him and then do what He says are the ones who build securely. Obedient faith is the REAL ID the Lord is looking for.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2025, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.