I love books. I love to read, and of course, books are one of the main ways to accomplish reading. I know there are also other objects to read such as magazines, newspapers, letters, emails, cereal boxes, close-captioned television (kidding—just wanting to see if you are paying attention!). But I particularly love books. I am a long time member of the library and regularly check out books. My first library was the East Nashville library, and that is still my standard for a library.

I also like to own books. I used to be selfish about my books; however, I was convicted of that by a quote from C.S. Lewis: “But you will find that your library in Heaven contains only some of the books you had on earth.” ‘Which?’ I asked. ‘The ones you gave away or lent.’”  So now, I will loan and give away my books, and cherish the impact that my books might have on the recipient. For example, I have bought and loaned the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (one of my favorite authors) countless times. I do not currently own a copy but need to pick one up, just in case you might want to borrow it! I look forward to having a well-established library in heaven.

Once I had to complete a questionnaire for a newspaper article that included the question: “If you were stranded on a desert island, what is the one book you would most want to have with you?” Well, I think you know me enough to know that my answer was the Bible. I have written many of these Chaplain Corner articles about how God’s Word as revealed in the Bible is essential to daily life. However, if we are talking about books, there is a book that is more important than the Bible and that is the Book of Life. When the apostle John was in exile on Patmos, Jesus instructed him to write letters to the seven churches. In one of the letters he writes “The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.” (Revelation 3:5.)

 Other books are also referenced in the Bible, specifically in the book of Revelation, chapter 20:  ¹²And 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.¹⁵Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

 To sum up: Our life stories are being written and all our deeds are being recorded in the books. At the judgment seat of Christ, Jesus will open the books of all who are not also recorded in the Book of Life. We know that our deeds no matter how great cannot save us, and no matter how vile cannot condemn us. After passing judgment, those whose names are not also in the Book of Life, regardless of their deeds, will be doomed to eternity in hell.

The only way to avoid being judged by our deeds (a very frightening thought for anyone) is to also have our names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, which occurs when we accept Christ as our Savior. When our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, we are accountable only for what Christ has done in us, and that means that we are victorious and will reign forever with Him. I pray that all our names will be written in the Book of Life, and that we will all reign victoriously with Jesus, a happy ending beginning for sure.

Blessings,

Judy