Video Ministries

The Book of Life

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will
not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name
before my Father, and before his angels. Rev. 3:5.

If we would be overcomers, we must search our hearts to be sure that we are
not cherishing anything that is offensive to God. If we are, we cannot wear
the white raiment that is here promised. If we would stand before God in the
white linen, which is the righteousness of the saints, we must now do the
work of overcoming.

Christ says of the overcomer, "I will not blot out his name out of the book
of life." The names of all those who have once given themselves to God are
written in the book of life, and their characters are now passing in review
before him. Angels of God are weighing moral worth. They are watching the
development of character in those now living, to see if their names can be
retained in the book of life. A probation is granted us in which to wash our
robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Who is
doing this work? Who is separating from himself sin and selfishness? "Ye are
dead," says the apostle Paul of the true followers of Christ, "and your life
is hid with Christ in God." When we are alive to God, we are dead to self.
May God help us to die to self. Whose names will not be blotted out of the
book of life? Only the names of those who have loved God with all the powers
of their being, and their neighbors as themselves.

There is a great work to be done for many of us. Our minds and characters
must become as the mind and character of Christ. Selfishness is inwrought in
our very being. It has come to us as an inheritance, and has been cherished
by many as a precious treasure. No special work for God can be accomplished
until self and selfishness are overcome. To many everything connected with
themselves is of great importance. Self is a center, around which everything
seems to revolve. Were Christ on the earth now, He would say to such,
"Launch out into the deep." Be not so self-caring. There are thousands whose
lives are just as precious as yours. Then why do you wrap your coat about
you, and hug the shore? Awake to duty and to usefulness! If you will launch
out into the deep and let down your nets, the Master will gather in the
fishes, and you will see of the mighty working of God (Historical Sketches,
pp. 138, 139).

When our hearts are all aglow with love for Jesus and the souls for whom He
died, success will attend our labors. . . . Let each one inquire, . . . Can
I not be the means of saving some soul in the kingdom of God? We want the
deep movings of the Spirit of God in our hearts, that we may not only be
able to secure for ourselves the white raiment, but that we may so influence
others that their names may be entered in the book of life, never to be
blotted out (ibid., p. 140).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 327

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