“Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” Luke 10:20
The disciples of Jesus came with great excitement, telling Jesus of how demons obeyed them at the mention of His name, but Jesus, responding, pointed them to something far much important than casting out demons, it was that their names were written in heaven. So, there is a book in heaven in which is contained names of people. But what makes possible the recording of one's name in this book? Elsewhere in the Bible, we are shown a book called the book of life, and those whose names are not written in this book were sentenced to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire. Only those who have believed in the name of Jesus Christ have their names written in the book of life.
Is your name written in this book? It is not a book of merit, it is a book of grace. If your confidence for going to heaven lies in the good works that you have done, then, it is evident that your name is not in that book. There is however, another set of books, it is what I call the book of works, and in that book, people will be judged according to their works, whether they are good or bad. Think of it! The infinitely perfect God is going to examine your works to verify if they are good or bad. What will your chances be? Your answer is correct, not one in a million.
Those who accept the meritorious work done by Jesus on the cross have their names written in the book of life because to their account is imputed the merit of Christ's work. Today, the good news is that you do not have to work for your name to be written in heaven, but by simply believing that Jesus died on the cross for you, your name will be automatically written in the book of life. This is good news.
Toni
