The Book Of Life

In high school, my teachers often told us about what they called "the Black Book". They would say that if our names were entered in the book for any atrocious activity, it would stop us from getting good jobs later in life. How we dreaded the Black Book! I don't know if the book was real, or if it was just used to scare us. Today, it's even easier. In the technologically advanced world of today, it is possible to check the social media profile of a prospective employee to know if the individual is qualified.

Similarly, the Bible tells us of the Book of Life, which really does exist! Anyone whose name isn't in there is doomed for all eternity. That is a scary thought. This book has so much power.

Revelation 20:12b,15 – Another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV)

It appears that in the Lord's books, the events of our day-to-day lives are recorded, according to our works. The difference is that when we come to Jesus in repentance and faith, we are saved by grace, our sins are forgiven, the record of our misdeeds is blotted out, and our names are entered in the Book of Life.

Jeremiah 31:34b – I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (KJV)

Eternal life is a positive, spiritual relationship with God that begins when we accept Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, and it has no ending in heaven. The opposite of eternal life is eternal death, which the Bible refers to as "the second death".

Revelation 21:8b – [They] shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (KJV)

This means that the consequence for those whose names are not in the Book of Life is extremely dire and calamitous. Those in hell will be forgotten, doomed to suffer for all eternity. God will close His ears to their eternal wail. That's a sobering thought.

For a moment, employ your imagination in picturing Satan holding a Black Book of eternal suffering, doom, and death to the mercy of God. The question is, "Is your name in that Black Book or in the Book of Life?"

Are you wasting this period of grace on unnecessary things? Have you become so lost in the pleasures or pain of this world that you have forgotten life after death? You can just take a simple step today, by falling on your knees and saying, "Lord, forgive me for all that I have done. I come to You today. I won't go back to sin anymore." Christ is giving you a simple reply, "Today, you will be with Me in paradise."

Prayer: Dearest Father, give me assurance that my name is in the Book of Life. Help me to live my life with heaven in view, and to retrace my steps back to You. Amen.