Revelation 21:27 But there shall by no means enter it(heaven) anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
So, there is a Book and God wants you to know if your name is in the Book. Is it?
Randy Alcorn tells in his book entitled "Heaven" about a professional singer who was invited to sing at a wedding. She did sing and she assumed all was A-OKAY for her and her husband to attend the reception, after all, she was the singer at the wedding. It was not just any ordinary wedding and reception, but one of prominence and intrigue. Waiters in Tuxedos offered luscious hors d'oeuvres and exotic beverages and only those who were invited could attend. When the singer and her husband tried to enter the reception hall, the maitre d' with a bound book greeted them and ask for their names. I am Ruthanna Metzgar and this is my husband Roy.
He searched the M's and said I'm not finding it. Would you spell it please? After spelling her name slowly and after searching the book, the maitre d, looked up and said, "I's sorry, but your name isn't here. Ruthanna replied, "I'm the singer. I sang for this wedding!" The man said, "it doesn't matter who you are or what you did. Without your name in the book you cannot attend the banquet.
Her and her husband were escorted out by the service elevator. On their way home, the husband ask Ruthanna, "What happened"? She admitted that she failed to return the RSVP because she was the singer and she didn't think it was important.
I personally believe many people are like this story about Ruthanna and Roy. They do good things throughout their lives and in most cases are real good people. But scripture tells us, "that's not what counts". Unless our name is in the Book, we cannot enter heaven. Christ has been inviting us all to the wedding banquet and according to scripture, most fail to RSVP(Invite Christ into their heart and life and ask for forgiveness of sin and place their faith in what Christ did on the cross for them)
How can we know that our name is in the book?
You see, if your going to go somewhere, you've never been, you get a map out and chart your course. You do this before taking off otherwise you might arrive at a wrong distination. Guesswork is not planning. Scripture tells us that if your name is not there, you can't come in and can you imagine how that must feel? Think back about Ruthanna and Roy. She sang at the wedding, surely that must count for something. Well, just like the story in Randy's book, no matter what we do, how good we are, without our name in the book, we are left outside.
Christ offers everyone the gift of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life in heaven with Him. Revelation 22:17 says, "Whoever is thirsty, let him come, and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of water of life." No need to try to work your way into heaven, you can't do it. Only what Christ did on the Cross is counted for you. You can't earn it, acheive it or even work for it. IT is a free gift from God based upon Christ's generous and sufficeint sacrifice on our behalf.
Keep in mind, that God knew that many people would try to get there on their own merit. Some would try a different way. Some would forget to RSVP.(Repent, Believe and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He was crucified, buried and on the third day, He arose and became victorious over death and the grave. He did all that for you and me.
The Spirit and the Bride say,"Come" Revelation 22:17
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on Him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6
Friend------Do you know Him? Do you know His forgiveness? Do you know His love for you? Is your name in the Book of Life? You can know these things and God wants you to know them.
Romans 10:9 says this; "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him (Jesus) from the dead, you will be saved." "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
That my dear friend is how you RSVP. Don't delay, do it today.
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11 years ago
4 comments:
Great post! A hot topic since the beginning and it rages on! I know that I know that I know I am saved because I have a regenerated heart that hungers and thrsts for righteousness and like a deer I pant for my Savior. Am I perfect? I sure wish it were so, but because of what Jesus did for me in the eyes of the Father I AM!
Praise His Holy Name forever and ever!!
I've made a lot of mistakes in life Eddie, but, one thing I KNOW I got right! I made certain my name is in the Book of Life.
I know my Savior and He knows me!!!
Eddie,
Thanks for the post. Thought you and your readers might want to know that Bible Study Magazine is giving away 40 signed copies of Randy Alcorn's, Heaven.
Thanks Ray
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