"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

-Revelations 20: 11-15

The Book Of Life

Is your name in the Book Of Life? There are a couple of descriptions in the Bible of the judgment that God will have on all people. Read Revelations 20: 11-15 above. In 2nd Corinthians 5: 10 God's Word tells us: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." Or how about what we are reminded of in Romans 14: 10-12 "You then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother?" For we will all stand before God's Judgment seat. It is written " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " Makes you think about your priorities, doesn't it? What are your priorities? Do you like your chances? If I am relying on myself I can tell you that I don't like mine. Believe or think what you want but the truth is that in the end we will all end up standing before God's throne.

So how do you get your name in the Book of Life? Let me tell you right now that you cannot buy it, you can't work for it ('earn it'), you cannot steal it or forge your name. You must place your faith and salvation in Jesus. The apostle Thomas once asked Jesus where He (Jesus) was going. Jesus answered, "I am the way and truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on you do know him and have seen him." (John 14: 6) Do you want to have your name in the Book Of Life? Then rely on the salvation that comes from God's chosen sacrifice for all of us, His Son. "Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul he will see the light of life and be satisfied, by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their inequities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53: 10-12)

I don't know about you, but that is where I place my faith! In Jesus, who 'bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.' How powerful is this intercession? How powerful is Jesus' compassion and grace? Powerful enough that as He suffered the painful, humiliation of crucifixion on the cross Jesus spoke these words: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23: 34) You can try it on your own, but if you want to find your name in the Book Of Life I recommend that you turn to Jesus! For He is the only way! Trust in Him! Amen.

I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough