Mike’s Musings ….

The Deleting of Names

   I don’t often sort through the names in my telephone directory or those listed in my email contacts. I’ve placed these names in those locations because of a strong desire to have them at ready access and think of them all as remaining dear friends. Yet, it came to my attention this past week, that another of those friends passed from this life to the next: there is no need to retain his name in either listing anymore!

   I don’t like deleting these names! There is a finality in doing so; a realization that I can no longer hear their voices if I call or receive their wise answers should I write to them requesting some advice. This morning, I found forty names of loved ones that I had retained: all of them departed from this life to await the judgment. I’ll neither hear them nor see them in this life again!

   I muse on this question: does God have a kindred reaction when He must delete names from His book of life? (see Revelation 22:18 – 19) That book is mentioned also in Philippians 4:3 and Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12 and 15; and 21:7, showing it is an important book of names! They are those who are the redeemed, who in God’s judgment have remained worthy of inclusion in His book, and who shall receive His promised eternity with Him. But for those whom He has deemed UNworthy of inclusion, because of their LACK of continued obedience, I find no hesitancy on His part in removing such names from that record. While at the judgment, these souls may well endeavor to plead for mercy from His Son Jesus Christ, Matthew records His words will be, “I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21 - 23)

   Peter gives us some understanding of this matter when he, by inspiration, writes, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2: 20 – 21). The departure is the SOUL’S choice – not God’s!