It seems a long time ago now that I began thinking about the Doomsday Book and then by extension the example from which it drew its name, the Day of Judgment and the Book of Life in the book of Revelation.
Already we have looked at a few passages on the Book of Life from the Old Testament but now I want to move into the New Testament.
In the New Testament I want to focus a little more on specific areas of the Christian life as they are linked with the Book of Life. In Philippians 4:3 we read,
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Service and the Book of Life
Here we see several elements linked with the Book of Life:
Those in the book were in service. I believe passionately that every believer has a gift. A simple look at Ephesians 4:7, Romans 12:6 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 shows that every believer has a gift, some ability which contributes to the local church and its goal of glorifying God and evangelising the world. Not only that, but from Matthew 28:19, in the Great Commission, we see that not only does every believer have a gift but every believer has a mandate to use that gift for GOD.
Christ has committed to every believer the ministry of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19). Our service for God is not something we do in our spare time or when it is convenient, it is something we must do.
We do not have the responsibility to save people, but we do have the responsibility to share the Gospel with people
Now contrary to all other world religions we do not serve to get saved, we do not serve to get our name in the Book of Life, we serve because we are saved and because our name is already in the Book!
James 2:18 – Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
We do because of what we are and we act because of what we believe.
Proverbs 23:7 – For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
Paul associated with his fellow-labourers, he was not ashamed of their public service. Have you ever been embarrassed by another believer’s public service? Do we purposefully associate with other believers? Do we chose to spend time with other Christians? With whom do we feel most at home?
Paul encouraged believers to help one another in the spread of the Gospel, whether your role is to support or to lead, it is vital and it is fantastic!
Though we can never be certain of another’s standing before God, one thing is for sure, someone who’s name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life is going to be looking for ways to serve God and others!
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