Revelation 20:12 (NIV®)
“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”
I’ve read this scripture before but I think my tendency has always been to focus on the book of life. As long as my name is there, I’m good. Right? I mean, God forgives. He knows we are but dust. All of that is true, but to think that there is a book somewhere that contains everything I’ve ever done is sobering.
Did you notice the plurality? Books. It makes me think that maybe we each have our own book, titled with our own name. No fiction. Only the cold hard truth of what we did and didn’t do with our time on this earth. I imagine God, who knows how many hairs are on our head at any moment of any day, has meticulous notes. I guarantee nothing is missing. Every detail of our lives carefully documented with permanent ink.
Then there is the judgement. There is no sliding by on a technicality. God is the judge and He can’t be bribed or fooled. I honestly wonder if there is anyone who will be able to hold their head up on that day. Maybe the apostle Paul? John? When I think about God’s absolute perfection, I think we will all hang our heads low but for the mercy and grace of God in whom we trust.
That being said, don’t you want to do the best you can? Do you want the judgement handed down to those who barely try or those who were too busy to pay attention? What material will you provide for God to use to write your book? Has He given you an assignment you’ve been ignoring – hoping it will go away? Have you neglected some things and now you’re just trying to get back in the race? Oh, don’t worry. Anytime I say “have you” I’m asking myself the same question. Are we missing something that, on that day, we will wish we had done?
Think about this with me. Think about more than just going to Heaven and the book of life. Think about the book you are writing every day. The book that will be read on that judgment day. Is there something that you would really like to be included? Take that step! God has a huge library of books to choose from. When He chooses mine I want Him to be pleased and at least see that I made the effort to please Him. That I made the effort to do what He said; that I was obedient and faithful. That I loved Him.
I can’t fully imagine the scene but I know one thing for sure. I don’t want to hang my head in regret. I want to hang my head in humility, knowing that I did all that I could do. To the best of my ability I want to do what is good, right, and acceptable in His sight. That’s the kind of book I want my life to write. I imagine that’s the kind of book you want your life to write as well. The judge will pull it from the shelf and begin to read. He will pass the verdict on its acceptability and then, yes, praise God, he will cross reference it with the book of life. The book that is the centerpiece of God’s library. Make sure your name is in that book.