THE BOOK OF LIFE | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 8, 1860

THE BOOK OF LIFE.

AMONG the notable expressions of St Paul's our eye recently rested upon the 3rd verse of Phil. iv: "And I entreat thee also true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and other my fellow laborers whose names are in the book of Life." Paul had previously mentioned Euodius and Syntyche, and then he speaks of Clement, but suddenly stops short in this enumeration of individuals and covers all the rest with this expression: "Whose names are in the book of Life;" as much as to say, There is no need that I should mention them; there is no need that their names should be called among the honorable of earth; they are known to God; their names are in the book of Life, and that is sufficient.

What a rebuke upon the restless ambitious spirit of those who are toiling and sweating and wearing their lives away with ceaseless labors to inscribe their names upon the roll of fame, and those who pine with discontent if they cannot accomplish their object. This should not be the Christian's ambition. His aim is to have his name inscribed on the enduring tablet of the book of life. He cares not whether the world knows of his existence, further than that, that he desires that the world should be some better for his having lived in it; he cares not whether he is known to men if he is known to God, to Christ and angels, known as one who is endeavoring to do his heavenly Father's will, known as an heir of all things, known as one whose name is in the book of Life.