Thought for the Month - August 2010

"And the Books were Opened" By Brian Wade

You only need to attend various places today to realise that we have become a very impersonal nation of persons; we have dental records, medical records, school records, financial records (or lack of!), membership records, insurance records etc. Everything is recorded!

"You are just a number", is often what we say to one another when we have a conversation about how things have changed from what they used to be like. Back then, we were known by our first names. Surnames were only used in "official correspondence" and you could address anyone by their first name.

My mind wandered to a Scripture verse that comes into my thoughts often… "and the books were opened". It describes a time at the Great White Throne when persons, who have not made the choice to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to be their personal Saviour by repenting of their sin and turning in faith toward God, will be finally judged for their refusal to do so.

We would all love to have a "good record" but unfortunately this is not the picture the Bible portrays.  Some will approach God thinking theirs is a good record - "I never did anyone any harm", or perhaps thinking "I was good more times than I was bad", maybe even saying to themselves "I was religious in my own way, I went to my church, I paid my church money, I am not as bad as some others who do not deserve to get into heaven" etc. etc.

What a shock these persons will encounter! God can only allow those persons to inhabit his dwelling place (called 'Heaven' in Scripture - a holy sinless place) who have been made ready through recognising that they were not good enough themselves, and acknowledging that the death of the Lord Jesus Christ was made on their behalf to purchase for them an entrance into Heaven.

The list below is a record of what the Bible says our record books should contain:

1. The record of my conversion by God's grace     --- my salvation
2. the record of my conduct in God's service          --- my behaviour
3. The record of my continuance in God's Word     --- my discipline
4. The record of my compliance with God's will      --- my obedience
5. The record of my communion with God's people --- my fellowship
6. The record of my growth in God's grace             --- my progress
7. The record of my attendance at God's house     --- my worship  

And finally, a little thought about Records…

• Yesterday's record is written
• Today's is not complete
• Tomorrow's is not even started

Let’s endeavour to make it a "good report" and a "clear record".

By Gods grace alone we can… "and the books were opened" (Rev 20:12)

(All quotations are from the KJV, unless otherwise noted)

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!