Tag Archive | Christianity

Who Wrote the Book of Life?

Mar19

© Wendy Anne Clark, 2025

The Bible uses many things in the physical world to help us understand things in the spiritual world. For example, the Apostle Paul tells us that Creation reveals things to us about God’s eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:20). We can observe nature in the physical world and learn something about God and the unseen spiritual world.

God as Father and Jesus as the Son, gives us an insight into the relationship between God the Father and Jesus. It’s not the exact relationship; the Father didn’t get married and bear a child–not in the physical sense. But there is something about a father-son relationship, especially a healthy one, that can help us to understand God as Father and Jesus as Son. They have different roles and are not exactly the same in what they do even as they are the same in nature and character. The Father is holy. The Son also is holy. The Father is trustworthy. The Son also is trustworthy. All of the qualities of the Father also refer to the Son and to the Spirit.

Jesus submits to the will of the Father. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me” (John 6:38). This is an eternal relationship and not anything new. It has always been (I Corinthians 14:24-28). The problem that we, as human beings, often have is that we do not rightly understand submission. We think of it as making one party lesser or of less significance than the other. But this is a distortion of what God demonstrates to us about submission.

A Bible teacher was once asked, “Is Jesus equal to the Father?” His answer was, “Almost.” Hmmm. While I think I understand where he was going, I don’t agree. Jesus is equal to the Father. They share the same nature and attributes, and yet Jesus willingly submits His will to the Father–His human will. As God, He always shared the Father’s plans and purposes and will.

Jesus also says that the Father gave Him all authority. How is it that the authority had to be given to Him? I’m not sure, but Jesus says that it was. Jesus has all authority even as He submits to the Father. I’m not sure that we can fully wrap our human minds around this relationship, but our human relationships are supposed to help us. I’m sure that is why the enemy is constantly distorting and corrupting our human relationships, to make it harder for us to understand how the Father, Son, and Spirit relate to each other.

The Son willingly submits to the will of the Father and is in agreement with the Father. He speaks only what the Father gives Him to speak (John 12:49). The Spirit willingly submits to the Son and reminds us of the things the Son taught (John 14:26). The Father, Son, and Spirit work in agreement with each other. There is no disagreement, disunity, or rebellion–not ever. Jesus prays that we might have this same kind of unity in the Body of Christ with agreement and willing submission and cooperation. In our case, sin becomes a very real barrier to overcome. There is no sin or selfishness or rebellion within the heart of God.

Marriage of a man and a woman demonstrates something to us of Jesus as a bridegroom and the Church as His bride. Jesus is described as a bridegroom, preparing a place for His bride. When the place is ready, He will return for His bride, and there will be a wedding feast, a celebration. We are meant to attend our wedding celebrations and think of what is planned for the future of all those who are in Christ Jesus. We are meant to watch a loving groom, who is excited for his bride, who is waiting for her and preparing for her, and we are reminded to think of Jesus in this same way, excited for us, waiting for us, preparing for us, and coming back for us.

Will there be an actual feast where we all sit down at a gigantic table and share a meal together? Jesus seems to refer to this at what we call “the Last Supper” when He says, “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29). I imagine a real feast, a real celebration. Think of the most amazing feast that you have ever attended. Something far better is being prepared for us. With all the time to prepare, I anticipate something too amazing to describe.

What then of the Book of Life? Is this an actual physical book, sitting up on a podium somewhere? Are there physical pages to be turned and consulted?

Chad Bird (pastor, professor, scholar) poses an interesting perspective on the Book of Life in his article “How Do I Know My Name is Written in the Book of Life?” He writes, “This book is not a dusty volume laid to rest and forgotten, but a flesh-and-blood testament of the power of an indestructible life, raised for you . . . . Christ Jesus is the Book of Life. In him and him alone our names are written.”

Interesting. 

I have never stopped to think about whether the book is an actual book or just meant to point us to something else. Of course, I have considered the significance of the Book of Life, but I like the idea of looking at the book and seeing a person.

Consider this: Jesus is the Word of God, the logos, spoken in the beginning. He was both with God, and He was God (John 1). Those whose names are written in the Book of Life were written there from the creation of the world (Revelation 17:8). In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul tells us that everyone who is “in Christ” was chosen before the foundation of the world to be adopted as God’s children (Ephesians 1:3-6). God has engraved the names of His people on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16). Is this a reference to the crucifixion and all who would be in Christ? Are those names, written in the Book of Life, also engraved on the palms of the hands of Jesus?

It is in Christ and through His shed blood on the cross for our sins and our repentance and submission to His sacrifice on our behalf, that our names are written in that book, “The Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:23-27). The Lamb’s Book contains the names of those who are saved by the Lamb.

So then, is the book an actual book, sitting up on a celestial podium in the spiritual realm? Maybe. It’s quite possible that there will be an actual book that is referenced. It’s also possible that it is simply an image for us to understand the nature of our salvation. It is written down, recorded. It is written in ink and will not be blotted out. It is personal–my name is there–in the book and on the hands of Jesus. My name. Me. It is not a collective recording of the Church as a whole, but of each person who is in Christ Jesus.

And God has known all along that I would respond to the Gospel, run to Jesus, and be saved, and God has determined long ago many things that will be mine because my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

And if you are in Christ Jesus and have turned to Him as Savior and Lord, your name is written there too.

Don’t Lose Heart

Mar14

© Wendy Clark, 2025

The closest I have ever come to being persecuted for my faith was a teacher making me feel uncomfortable for my views on the value of life, a professor warning me to not “take the Bible too seriously,” a classmate rolling his eyes at me over something I said I believe. None of these things are real persecution.

I have experienced being mocked for being “good” or for doing good or for trying to help someone. In seeking to serve others, I’ve been accused of not helping “the right way” or “enough” or of helping the “wrong” person or people. I’ve been told that by helping I am the one responsible for the bad actions of another person.

All of these things can be discouraging, but if you are being obedient to God’s commands and are serving the broken and hurting around you, don’t be discouraged when doing so becomes difficult. Serving broken people is not easy, and it is often a thankless job. Sometimes the people that you reach out to help will turn on you, become angry, maybe even lie about you. They may be manipulative or harsh in their criticism of you. 

Serve others anyway.

If you live for rewards in this life, you will give up when the person you step out to care for is thankless, selfish, spiteful. But if you can remember that none of what you do is about you, that the goal goes far beyond the here and now, you will be able to stand even in the midst of lies or hurtful accusations.

So many things that others say and do can feel personal, and though words and actions might be directed at you, they often aren’t even about you. So while you should assess your part in any conflict you have with others, don’t take on the responsibility that belongs to someone else. Don’t consider yourself guilty just because a broken person says that you are. Remember that broken people say and do broken things, and that very often they aren’t ready to take responsibility for their own feelings and words and actions.

It’s easier to help people who are physically, financially, socially, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. But have you noticed that those aren’t the people who really need help? The people who need help have problems, real problems. Their problems aren’t easily solved, often have a long history, and usually run deep. They have problems because they don’t have it all together. 

And their problems might be their “fault.” They haven’t done the kinds of things that result in physical, financial, social, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. They might not “deserve” help. But they are often desperate for help. They are often stuck, and without help, they won’t be able to move forward. And sadly, often with help, they won’t take the steps that they need to take to move forward.

Be willing to help anyway.

Pay attention, and don’t fall into doing more than the person you are trying to help is willing to do. Reach out your hand, but wait for the other person to grab onto it. If a person is stuck in a pit, don’t jump down in it and try to comfort the person there. The goal is to encourage and draw the person to climb out of the pit and to help the person on that upward climb. 

All of this must be done with fervent and consistent prayer. God knows what the broken person needs. You see only a tiny bit of what is going on, so pray for wisdom all along the way.

And when you are investing time and energy in a person and that person decides to go in an unexpected direction, don’t let the disappointment or even the sense of betrayal you might feel keep you from doing what God has called you to do and being who God has called you to be. Serve others even when it seems a thankless task. Serve others because you serve the Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself up for you, and know that He promises that there are rewards for you in Eternity. Eternal rewards.

Always keep Eternity in mind. Know that the only real hope you have to offer someone is the Gospel of Jesus Christ–the very good news that through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sins, we can be reconciled to God. The Holy Spirit will come into our lives and begin to transform the way we think, the way we see the world. Over time, our desires will change, and if we give attention to the Word of God, we will become more like Jesus and more aligned with God’s plans, and God’s purposes, and God’s ways. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, people really do change.

So don’t lose heart. Don’t give up. Don’t stop praying, and don’t stop loving and serving. Remain steadfast and faithful, knowing that it’s always worth it to do the will of a good, gracious, generous, and loving God. 

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10).

“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1).

In the Presence of the King

Jan23

© Wendy Clark, 2025

Brother Lawrence, in his book The Practice of the Presence of God (p 55), writes something along these lines:

What would it be like for the greatest criminal in the world to dine at the king’s table and be served by him, knowing what he had done to break the king’s laws, but not assured of the king’s pardon? Wouldn’t he feel great uneasiness, great fear and trepidation? He would, of course, unless he knew the great goodness and faithfulness of the king and knew indeed that his debt had already been paid, and his pardon was already accomplished.

This is how we, who have been saved by the blood of Jesus, shed in our place, for our sins, sit at the table of the Lord and celebrate in His presence. The more aware we are of our great debt, the more we rejoice in our great and guaranteed pardon. We do not tremble in the presence of One so holy and great–only because we have experienced His amazing grace and mercy.

Hebrews 10:19-23

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

Encouragement from the Lives of Other Believers: Darlene Deibler Rose

Aug29

© Wendy Anne Clark, 2020

Hebrews 12:1-3

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

Over the past couple of years I have been reading and re-reading the testimonies of Christians who experienced very difficult circumstances, yet in those times continued to walk closely with God and to live in peace and joy, ministering to the people around them.  These testimonies act as encouragement from the “great cloud of witnesses” who have gone before us.

Darlene Deibler Rose a young missionary who was taken prisoner by the Japanese during WWII is a story well worth reading if you haven’t read it before or re-reading if you need some encouragement today. 

Evidence Not Seen: A Woman’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II

There are many both challenging and encouraging stories in this book, but one that stands out to me involves Mr. Yamaji, who ran the Kampili POW camp where Darlene was held captive.  He was a particularly cruel and unreasonable man.  One of the things they were required to do was for each prisoner to catch 100 flies every day to help reduce the fly population in the camp. He would beat those who couldn’t produce 100 dead flies.

Darlene’s young husband dies in a separate camp, and Yamaji calls her into his office to deliver the news and to ask her to not lose the joyful influence that she has over others in the camp. Darlene assures him that her hope is not in this world and then shares the gospel with him:

“[Jesus] died for you, Mr. Yamaji, and He puts love in our hearts—even for those who are our enemies. That’s why I don’t hate you, Mr. Yamaji. Maybe God brought me to this place and this time to tell you He loves you.”

He leaves her sitting in the outer office where she must wait until she is formally dismissed, and he goes into his private office where Darlene can hear that he is weeping, for some time.  Whatever happened to him in that office that day, he begins to show evidence of a changed life. One striking piece of evidence that he is not the same cruel man he once was  involves bananas.

After Darlene had been moved from Yamaji’s camp to solitary confinement in a prison where she is likely to be eventually executed, she observes a woman outside her window in the courtyard being passed bananas over the fence.  She begins to long for a single banana and asks God to send her one but doesn’t really see how that might even be possible.

“I bowed my head again and prayed, ‘Lord, there’s no one here who could get a banana to me. There’s no way for You to do it. Please don’t think I’m not thankful for the rice porridge. It’s just that–well, those bananas looked so delicious!’”

The next day, Mr. Yamaji comes to visit her in solitary confinement and then delivers to her 92 bananas, which prompts her to kneel in confession before God:

“In all my spiritual experience, I’ve never known such shame before my Lord. I pushed the bananas into a corner and wept before Him. ‘Lord, forgive me; I’m so ashamed. I couldn’t trust You enough to get even one banana for me. Just look at them–there are almost a hundred.’”

God responds back to her:

“’That’s what I delight to do, the exceeding abundant above anything you ask or think.’ I knew in those moments that nothing is impossible to my God.”

Two encouraging words through this story.  God loves us personally and knows what we need.  He is faithful to care for us and to bless us, even when we can’t see how He will do it.

Second, we can minister to others and have influence even when that seems impossible.  

After the war Mr. Yamaji was set to be executed for his war crimes, but because of the number of people who testified on his behalf, prisoners who said his manner changed and he was a great help to them, Mr. Yamaji was spared and sentenced to life in prison.  Later however, because of his good behavior in prison, he was released  from prison and went on to own a business.  Though Darlene had not had confirmation of his salvation while in prison, Mr. Yamaji shared the Gospel on the radio in the 1980s, many years later.

We don’t always know the influence that we are having at the time, but if we stay close to God and remain faithful, God can use us, even when we can’t see how.