IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE?
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Eph 5:16
Sakkie Parsons
I want to share something with you that recently struck me again in the story of “The Rich Man and Lazarus.” But first, please read this:
LUKE 16:19 Now there was a certain rich man who habitually dressed in purple and fine linen and celebrated and lived joyously in splendor every day.
LUKE 16:20 And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores.
You likely know the story: how the rich man—whose name we do not know—spends eternity in hell after his life on earth, while the beggar named Lazarus enters eternity in heaven.
But today, I want to point out something else about these two men that I believe had a direct influence on their eternal destinations.
Did you notice? Our Lord never names the rich man. We don’t know who he was. But see this: in the Lord’s heart, the beggar had such value that He called Lazarus by name.
LUKE 16:19–20
Now there was a certain rich man who habitually dressed in purple and fine linen and celebrated and lived joyously in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores.
In my own life, there came a day when the Lord, in His great love, introduced Himself to me. I didn’t respond immediately to His knocking and calling, but He continued knocking and calling on the door of my heart.
REV 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.
REV 3:21 He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.
If only I had responded right away, I could have spared myself many years of pain. But once I finally opened my heart to the Lord, my life became a joyful feast. No, I didn’t become richer or gain earthly luxuries—but for the first time in my life, I experienced true peace, happiness, and love. Because about me and everyone who opens the door of their heart to Jesus, He says:
JOHN 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.
How blessed is the person who opens their heart to the Lord’s knocking and calling! It doesn’t matter if you’re a beggar named Lazarus. It truly doesn’t matter what your status or worth is in the eyes of people—you have been bought, and the price paid for you is unmatched in the entire universe.
1 PET 1:18 For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless (spiritually unproductive) way of life inherited from your forefathers with perishable things like silver and gold,
1 PET 1:19 But [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a sacrificial lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ.
Lazarus’s name was written in the Book of Life—so he opened his eyes in heaven. The rich man’s name—whatever it may have been—was not in the Book of Life, and he opened his eyes in hell.
LUKE 16:22 Now it happened that the poor man died and his spirit was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom (paradise); and the rich man also died and was buried.
LUKE 16:23 In Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom (paradise).
Because, my friend, it is written:
REV 20:15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire.
How incredibly blessed is the person whose name is written in the Book of Life!
If you are reading this and have not yet opened your heart to Jesus, I want to encourage you. You are reading this because Jesus is still knocking and calling. Open your heart to Him. Respond to His call so that your name too may be written in the Book of Life.
HEB 3:7 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear His voice,
HEB 3:8 Do not harden your hearts…”
The Lord knocked and called at the door of my heart for several years before I responded. My father, who had lived a wild life for the most part, also finally answered Jesus’ call. A few years after his conversion, he exchanged the temporary for the eternal.
But I also know of people who gave their hearts to the Lord during a service, walked out, and never reached their homes due to a car accident or something similar.
The most recent case I know of was a young man—related to me by marriage—who got up during the night to go to the bathroom, slipped, and died from the fall.
Neither you nor I know how much time we have left on this earth.
EPH 5:14–16
For this reason He says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine [as dawn] upon you and give you light.”
Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people],
Making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.
MAT 24:42 So be alert [give strict attention, be cautious and active in faith], for you do not know which day [whether near or far] your Lord is coming.
Sakkie