Book of Life

(The following devotional was taken from St Charles Bible Church, St Charles MN – March 11, 2018)

The Christians who are being slaughtered by Muslim extremists in Syria must believe that they are already in the Great Tribulation.  Their courage under fire makes my heart ache for them and at the same time, I feel guilty that we suffer so little while they suffer so much.  While they are being asked to die for their faith, I am being asked to live for mine. 

     I have been so blessed this week, preparing a message that reminds me what is in store for all those who are faithful to their decision to put their faith in Christ.  How many times my Bible reminds me that Jesus calls His followers by name (John, Thomas, Nicodemus, Peter, Nathaniel, Paul, Stephen, Barnabas, Daniel… the list goes on and on).  When His disciples come back from being sent out to minister, they are super excited about their ministry, but Jesus says, “Don’t rejoice because demons obeyed you, rejoice that your names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”  What a personal Savior we have! 

     My name (and all those who have trusted Christ), is recorded in “The Lamb’s Book of Life”.  (Rev 10:15).  Because of His foreknowledge and sovereignty, God had already recorded my name before His creation began.  (“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”  2 Timothy 1:9)   We make our “calling and election sure” when we put our faith in Him.  (2 Peter 1:10-11) There is much to know and study about our names being recorded in the “Book of Life”.  The more I understand, the more I rejoice in humble thanksgiving! 

     Last week, I forgot to announce that the carnation on the organ at church is yet another celebration of a new life in Christ in the grade-school Awana.  The past month has kept angels rejoicing as we have been witnesses to new believers confessing their faith.  Jesus said, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  (Luke 15:10) There is nothing quite as exhilarating as a new baby in Christ!   … I am so excited to be a part of what God is doing here at the Bible Church!  

   Pastor Jim B

     ‘47 / ’56 St Charles MN

From Pastor’s reading list:
     One of the preachers I consult in my studies is a man named Ray Pritchard.  One of his sermons is entitled “Why Good People Won’t go to Heaven”.  Worthwhile reading, I think.  “Most people believe that good people go to heaven.  According to one poll, 53% of Americans agreed that “Good works can earn a place in heaven.”  So I ask the question very pointedly: Will good people go to heaven?  I believe the answer is no.  Here’s why:

I. Because You Can Never Be Good Enough.   (Romans 10)

“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” (v. 1). This is a truly shocking statement. Paul (a Jew himself) was praying for his Jewish friends to be saved. That raises a troubling question, doesn’t it? What about all the people in the world who aren’t Christians but they have their own religion and they are happy with it?  George Barna reported that 64% of Americans agreed with the following statement: “Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and others all pray to the same God, even though they use different names for God.” Barna reported that 62% of those surveyed agreed that “it does not matter what religious faith you follow because all religious faiths teach the same lessons about life.” 

2. Because Good People Are Fundamentally Deceived About Their True Condition.  “For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge” (v. 2). Good people won’t go to heaven because they are fundamentally deceived about their true condition. Isaiah 64:6 uses a very graphic picture to describe the truth: “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” 

3. Because Good People Think They Don’t Need Jesus.

“Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes” (vv. 3-4).  That’s what happened to the Jews. Because they didn’t seek the righteousness that comes from God, they sought to establish their own.

4. Because Good People Wouldn’t Be Happy If They Did Go to Heaven.

This is the final reason why good people won’t go to heaven: They wouldn’t be happy there. That may seem like a startling statement because heaven by definition is a place of eternal happiness. The answer is yes, but heaven will be a happy place only for those who truly belong there. Good people would be unhappy there because they don’t belong there.

            Who belongs in heaven? Saved people. People redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7 speaks of this when it pictures a vast multitude standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They are black, white, Asian, Hispanic, tall, short, men, women, young, old, from every tribe, tongue, nation and kindred. They have come from every corner of the earth to praise God for his salvation. Who are these people in the courts of heaven? The Apostle John gives us the answer in verse 14: “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”  Washing the robes speaks of forgiveness, white speaks of purity,  and the blood speaks of Christ’s death on the cross.”

Doris Jean H

’44 / ’55 Manheim PA