learning DAILY



Revelation20:12, And I saw the dead small and great, standing before the God and books were opened.  And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to their works, by things which were written in the books.

Anyone who knows me knows I like to read.  Having a large library has always been something I have wanted – until the last year or so.  I have given almost all of my books away so others might be able to gain insight from them or just might have joy in reading them. 

In the last page of the blog, I discussed the Great White Throne Judgment.  I want to focus on a very significant aspect of it this morning. A quick reading of this portion of Scripture will cause the reader to miss the point that more books than the Book of Life are opened when the sinner is being judged.  Their judgment comes from the books that are opened.  We are used to thinking that evidence must be produced at a trial to declare one guilty; so let’s look at the evidence presented in the books.  Remember those standing before God have never accepted His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.  They are being judged for their sin and sinful life.

The Book of Conscience.  Romans 2:15 directs us to the first book, “who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or excusing them.  The conscience is our moral compass when it comes to right and wrong.  We do have the knowledge of what is right and wrong as part of us; however, we all test it by living on the edge from a very young age.  It is our conscience that justifies or condemns what we do, think, and say.  Be careful when one decides that wrong is right and right is wrong. 

The Book of Words.  Read what Matthew 12:36-37 says about the things we say.  But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” These are the words of Jesus.  He said a few verses earlier that what is in the heart will eventually come out of the mouth.  Yikes!  This means that one’s core nature will eventually surface.  Remember that old saying about sticks and stone break bones but word will never hurt?  That’s not true!  Be careful what you say.  But, what do you do when the “old you” comes out?  It happens.  Be quick to ask for sincere forgiveness!  Think before you speak!

The Book of Secrets.   Romans 2:16 reveals a third book:  in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” All of us have secrets, those things we do not want others to know about us.  It is foolishness to think that God does not know what has been hidden from others.  This is the time God will judge the secrets kept by His righteousness.  Those things we do for others in secret will be rewarded; those things we do in secret to harm others will be judged.

The Book of Public Works.  The fourth book to be opened is seen in Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”  One’s faith in Jesus Christ should be producing good works; the love of God in one’s life is expressed through good works.  Charles Spurgeon once said, “The child of God works not for life, but from life; he does not work to be saved, he works because he is saved.”  Anyone confessing to be saved but ignores or refuses to help another in need casts doubt on their faith.

The Book of Life.  If your name is in this book, you will not be at this judgment for your conscience, secrets, words, and works have already been dealt with by your declaration of faith in Jesus Christ.

Neither you nor I am perfect and we sin.  It is so important to ask for forgiveness when you sin and then to live the very best you can as a Believer and follower of Jesus Christ.  Do not ever give up, for the rewards of eternity are well worth your faith placed in Him.

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