Will my Name Be There?
By E. R. Dewey
“And another book was opened, which is the book of life.” WILL my name be in that long list of redeemed souls who have been washed in the precious fountain of Jesus’ blood? There will be the names of many worthies, and of fathers, mothers, and children, whose robes have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb; those who were enabled by faith to lay hold on the promises of God, and become the heirs of an eternal inheritance. But in the long list will mine appear? As the voice of Jesus proclaims, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world,” shall I go with them into everlasting life, and sing with them the song of redeeming love? None can enter in through the gates into the city except those whose names are found written there. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” One sin unrepented of and found against our names at last will be enough to blot them from that book. Oh, solemn thought! Why are we so slow to put away everything that separates us from God when the consequences to ourselves are so great? Can we bear the thought that some cherished sin shall cheat us of eternal life? “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Soon the solemn decree will go forth, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Rev. 22:11. Of which class shall we be? We have now a short time to prepare for that day. We know not how soon our cases will come up in review, and if once judgment is passed and our names are crossed out, our tears and prayers will then be of no avail. Oh! what anguish will fill our hearts if such should be our lot, but it need not be; by the help of the Lord we can overcome, and to “him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” E. R. DEWEY.