Recorded in Heaven
I came across this quote that I had marked in an old book some time back, and it was just what I was looking for as it answered very quickly something that I was contemplating, so I will now share it with you so that you can ponder over as well.
Quote: “As the features of the countenance are reproduced with unerring accuracy on the polished plate of the artist, so the character is faithfully delineated in the books above. Yet how little solicitude is felt concerning that record which is to meet the gaze of heavenly beings. Could the veil which separates the visible from the invisible world be swept back, and the children of men behold an angel recording every word and deed, which they must meet again in the judgment, how many words that are daily uttered would remain unspoken, how many deeds would remain undone.
In the judgment the use made of every talent will be scrutinized. How have we employed the capital lent us of Heaven? Will the Lord at His coming receive His own with usury? Have we improved the powers entrusted us, in hand and heart and brain, to the glory of God and the blessing of the world? How have we used our time, our pen, our voice, our money, our influence? What have we done for Christ, in the person of the poor, the afflicted, the orphan, or the widow? God has made us the depositaries of His holy word; what have we done with the light and truth given us to make men wise unto salvation? No value is attached to a mere profession of faith in Christ; only the love which is shown by works is counted genuine. Yet it is love alone which in the sight of Heaven makes any act of value. Whatever is done from love, however small it may appear in the estimation of men, is accepted and rewarded of God?
The hidden selfishness of men stands revealed in the books of heaven. There is the record of unfulfilled duties to their fellow men, of forgetfulness of the Saviour’s claims. There they will see how often were given to Satan the time, thought, and strength that belonged to Christ. Sad is the record which angels bear to heaven. Intelligent beings, professed followers of Christ, are absorbed in the acquirement of worldly possessions or the enjoyment of earthly pleasures. Money, time, and strength are sacrificed for display and self-indulgence; but few are the moments devoted to prayer, to the searching of the Scriptures, to humiliation of soul and confession of sin.” {GC 487}
Quote: “A character formed after the divine likeness is the only treasure that people can take from this world to the next. The character as formed in this world determines one’s destiny for eternity. The element of value in one’s life in this world will be of value in the world to come. A person’s future is determined by the way one allows himself or herself to be influenced. If one cherishes and cultivates hereditary tendencies for wrong, indulging fleshly inclinations, appetites, and passions, that individual can never enter the kingdom of God. But the person who strives to repress evil inclinations, who is willing to be governed by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, is transformed.” {CTr 188}
How diligent and careful we all should be right now at the very “End of Time,” when we consider these statements, and if we add to them this Scripture as found in 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” This encompasses everything we do, think, talk about, and absolutely everything in-between. We also have this verse as found in 2 Peter 3:11 “[Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness.”
To go back to one part of one of the previous quotes, “A character formed after the divine likeness is the only treasure that people can take from this world to the next.” If our Character is the “Only Thing” that we take into Eternity, why then do we all put so much effort daily into something that does not even count eternally; things like Beauty Products, Fashions, Status Symbols, food and all those daily cares that simply just pass away and anyway so quickly go “Out of Fashion” in this life, but are definitely not even transferable into Eternal Life. Peter’s quote challenges us with this portion in his verse, and this is the hot point; “what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness.”
We each need to be constantly monitoring our attitudes and behaviour, because Paul admonishes us in Galatians 5:22-25 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” These verses do not talk about the size and age of our House, Car, Salary, and the Position in the Company we work in, Bank Account Balance and so much more that in this world measures ones status, and God does not even remotely consider them; well that is until we have freely offered them to God and then we actively use them, all to “His Glory” and for the “Salvation of Lost Souls.”
Dear Reader; Let us each resolve to make this the first day of the rest of our lives, lived in accordance to Scripture, Led by the Spirit, covered by the Blood as we confess and forsake any sins, and then live in harmony with Heavenly life perfectly reflecting Jesus Christ to everyone we are in contact with, so let us each just “Get up, Get going and Get Living It.”
