The Book of Life

That they may receive forgiveness…Acts 26:18

This was the apostle’s commission from Christ: to preach the gospel. The good news that would open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me, Acts 26:18.

Paul made this declaration before King Agrippa and Governor Festus. This opportunity was the result of God’s promises to Paul. He would preach to the Gentiles, the Jews and before kings, Acts 9:15. Paul stood before these rulers in chains for preaching the resurrection of Jesus; the gospel. Now there is a life-lesson. Doing the will of God is not always pleasant. Truth is seldom painless.

Jesus died for the sins of the world for He is the Lamb of God who took away the sins of mankind. This does not mean everyone goes to heaven. For each must turn from darkness to light; turn from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by their faith in Jesus. God had done His part. We must do our part. God has given us the gift of life. We must receive that gift.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, 1 John 1:9. That’s the truth of the matter. We confess, God forgives. We turn, God receives. This is the message of the gospel: be reconciled to God, 2 Corinthians 5:20. Just because Jesus died for everyone’s sin means that everyone will inherit everlasting life. Only those who turn to God.

Perhaps this is why judgment is so severe. Only those who refuse to accept Jesus die in their sins because they have rejected the only way out of the power of Satan. They have willingly chooses to remain under Satan’s power. People must turn to receive forgiveness. Those who turn will not be disappointed. Our inheritance is in Christ; not in the world (Adam). 

Revelation 20 reveals the coming judgment, verses 11-15. In this vision, John sees a great white throne where the great and the small stood before God. Books were opened. People were judged according to their works recorded in the books. Then the book of life was opened. Only those whose name was in the book of life escaped the lake of fire. The names of those who turned are recorded in the book of life.