FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Todd Gaddis

Hypothetically, let’s say an unbeliever put together a five-minute multi-media presentation of the most religious and righteous moments of his/her life to present to the Lord on judgment day. Contained in this presentation is the person feeding the hungry, attending church regularly, giving generously and serving those in need. Having viewed the tape, Jesus tosses it aside and says, “ Away from Me, I never knew you .” Why the rejection? It’s because the person relied solely on their own performance to get them into heaven. That’s the way it will be for those who are judged during the great white throne judgment. They’re rejected because their works fail to meet the rigorous standards of Christ. Isaiah said, “ All our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment ” (Isaiah 64:6)—a spiritual truth which is nowhere more applicable than for the lost person on judgment day. John writes that our works are recorded in books : “ And books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things written in the books, according to their deeds . . . If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life… " (Revelation 20:12,15). This is one of the numerous times that salvation is equated with books and writing. When the disciples returned excitedly from a mission venture, Jesus said, “ Do not rejoice in this; that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven ” (Luke 10:20). Paul sought help for colleagues whose names “ Are in the book of life ” (Philippians 4:3). John even terms it the “Lamb’s book of life” later in Revelation (Revelation 21:27). Tragically, those brought before the great white throne are those whose names do not appear in this book of life. As stated, good deeds that have been recorded in one book are not sufficient to get one’s name written in the other.

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