The Book Of Life

This morning, as part of my devotions, I was led to Philippians 4:3, and Revelation 21:27 which says: “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth...or maketh a lie...but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” and on my way home from church, I heard a sermon on the radio that dealt with that same Scripture.

At last, during the day, I found time for further Scripture reading and went back to the above mentioned verses and others that dealt with the same theme.

The Scriptures speak of those who reject the book of life as being “dull of hearing” and “hard of heart.” However, Jesus shows that He will confess the names of those who follow His way to the Father and have their names written in the book of life.

When we realize the value of the book of life, it is not easy for us to understand why some people would reject having their names written in the book of life, yet the answer is simple: lack of understanding, stubbornness and going their own way, however the Scriptures reveal that the way of transgressors is hard and keeps them out of the book of life...so really, it is a vicious cycle of choices and consequences.

To have your name written in the book of life is to be in good standing with Jesus who says He is the way, the truth and the life. He also taught that His words are life and if we abide in Him and have His words abide in us, we will maintain that good standing.

On the other hand, we each have our own personal book. Your life and mine are books into which we write every day, hour by hour, and minute by minute. We write into our books with our thoughts, words, deeds and beliefs. And even when, by God’s grace, we make changes in our ways, we are yet writing into our personal book.

When our personal books please God the Father, He writes our names into His book. And His book is for life eternal, not merely a matter of length of days but of a quality of existence that is abundant and divine.

What does it take to have your name in the book of life? The Scriptures teach that we are to “labour not for the meat that perishes” and also that our labour for Christ is not in vain for such acts afford us to have our names written in His great book: the Lamb’s book of life.

Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life? Are you labouring for Christ in any way that you can? When we work for Him, it is a labour of love that does not go unrewarded (Philippians 4:3).

SCRIPTURE HELPS: John 14:6; Colossians 3:3; Revelation 21:27.
PRAYER: “Almighty God, grant me grace to have my name written in your book and not ever have my name to be blotted out of that book. Amen”
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Our names are written in the book of life when we labour for Christ.