"Real To Real"

"Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous." (Psalms 69:28) As so many of you may know, there really is a "Book of Life" mentioned in the Bible; when those names within it are written is something that is up for a little debate. There are a couple rules of thought as to when that takes place, only because there are a couple rules of thought about what "blotted out" might be speaking of, and whether or not a person can actually lose their salvation. One rule of thought is that your name is written in the Book the moment you give your life to Jesus; as a matter of fact, I have even heard some very famous preachers actually say that to people that have answered an alter call; right after they have repeated the sinners prayer, the preacher would say, "Now your names are written in the Book of Life forever." Based upon that line of thinking, it would appear the name goes in and it never comes out; then how can a name that is written be blotted out? Another line of thought, is that every name has been written as surely as they had lived; if anyone has ever lived, then their name was once there, both the saved and the unsaved; everyone had an equal chance to remain written in the "Book of Life." Which reminds me of something that I may have misquoted several days ago, because I think the word was "Chosen" not "Called" on the backside of the gate into Heaven. If you did not catch that post, I quoted Pastor Jack, who said, "I imagine when we get to the gate of Heaven, the front will say "Whosoever" (John 3:16), but after you pass through, the backside will say, "The Chosen", meaning, "Chosen in Christ from the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4). I am sorry for the misquote, because I believe that everyone is called, but not everyone answers. Therefore, based on this line of reasoning, a name that is blotted out is because they refused to answer and invite Jesus into their heart; because once you have invited Him in, you are in a relationship that can never be denied. If you have a real relationship with Jesus Christ, no matter how far away you might go, you can never forget that real relationship, just as you can never forget past relationships with other people you knew and loved. Sure, you might put them out of your mind, but they will forever be in your heart; so you can only imagine how much more Jesus and His love for you will always be a part of who you are, no matter what you might do, or how far you might stray; He is never that far from you, once He has entered your heart. So then we come to the next line of thinking, which is that of being "Real" or not? Did you open and let Him in, or did you just want some of what He had to offer? If it is "Real", then guess what; your name is written for "Real" in the "Lamb's Book of Life." And more than that, you are "written with the righteous", right there along side Abraham, David, Peter, and all the rest; there you are, forevermore...
"God has now revealed to us His mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill His own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ - everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan." (Ephesians 1:9-11) NLT