Is Your Name In The Book?

We are in the process of updating our Church directory. It has been a couple of years since we last put one out and there are several changes that need to be made. I was working today on the section that lists the birthdays and anniversaries. I noticed that several people did not give us the year that they were born, so I am guessing that they are celebrating an anniversary of their birth - you know, like the 25th anniversary of my 29th birthday, kind of thing. Anyway, one thing is for sure and that is that they were born. We see proof of it every time we see them. I have realized that having a Church directory and putting people in there helps to make them feel a real part of the Church and the ministry. And that is a very good thing. I know you aren't really interested in hearing about our Church directory, but there is a message in here I am sure. At birth, we were born into a family - not of our choosing, but by God's providence. Nothing can change our lineage, even if they wanted to. Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born again..." John 3:3. When we are born into the family of God, nothing can change our heritage or our lineage. And believe me, Satan sure does want to. When we were born to our physical parents, our name was placed in the records as a matter of public record for anyone to see. You can go back to your place of birth and get a copy of your birth certificate. God also has a record and it is referred to as the "Lamb's Book of Life" in which are recorded all the names of those who have been born again. My point is really very simple. As rewarding and satisfying as it may be to have your name on a church roll, it will do nothing for you in eternity. What matters is if your name is recorded by God in His record book. Is it there? If not, you will stand before God at the Great White Throne of Judgement and the search will be made, as public record, to show it is not there! That is not a good thing.