A friend of mine came into a drop-in centre the other day waving an item in her hand and announcing that the new phone books had arrived. At that moment, another friend was reminded of a comedy movie in which actor Steve Martin’s character showed a whole lot more excitement about the arrival of his phone book. I had to go to YouTube to watch the clip, since I wasn’t familiar with the movie.
In the scene, the actor jumped up and down excitedly as he had received a copy of the updated, newly published phone book. He frantically searched through the pages until he found his name. We laughed together as we watched the clip, but as I thought about it, I couldn’t help but be reminded of a vital book.
Your local phone book is full of many names. Did you know that each person in that book is personally known by God and extremely valuable to Him? It is an amazing truth to consider that we were created, on purpose, by God. We are loved by Him, and wanted by Him, despite the fact that He knows all of our disobedient deeds, words, and actions. We are naked before God and He “will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
Not one of the people named in your phone book has the ability to cleanse you of your sins or to put your name in the most important book of all. The most important book is also filled with millions of names. God does not need to keep such a book since He is infinite and knows all, but such a book does exist. It is called the Book of Life.
How did these people get their names in this book? Did they earn the right? Were they born into the right family?
The people whose names are in this book are children of God and joint heirs with Christ. These people have eternal life that can never be taken away. In the Bible the Lord Jesus Christ said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29). They will have the greatest privilege of all people who ever lived. They will serve and worship the King of Kings, in a perfect place with no sorrow or pain, for all of eternity.
How did these people get their names in this book? Did they earn the right? Were they born into the right family? Neither is true. According to God’s Word, these people were born again into God’s family, through faith in Christ. These people were saved from their sins. They had a moment in their lives when they looked to the cross and understood that they were the guilty sinners for whom Christ died.
Many people – to their utter horror – will not have their name written in the Book of Life. They thought they could earn God’s favour, but that is impossible. Salvation is not found in any name in your phone book, and in “no other name under Heaven” (Acts 4:12). It is only achieved through the work of Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for your sins at the cross.
Is your name in the Book of Life?
God promises your name will be there if you repent from living life your way and turn to Christ as the One who can cleanse you and give you new life with Him. New life that lasts forever. If you refuse Christ as your Saviour, as the only One who can bring you to God, Revelation 20:15 tells the result: “Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Please accept Christ as your Saviour and become a child of God!
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