That’s one for the books!
Every language has its own idioms – phrases with meaning that goes beyond the normal usage of the words found in them – and they “work,” because everybody understands. Group shorthand…
We all understand that most of life comes-and-goes without significance. Hours are spent on busy-work that has to be done but creates no memorable outcome. Performances that are required… but instantly forgotten.
Until something happens that rises above the rest of the mundane matters surrounding it. Bam! Someone calls it out: That’s one for the books!
There are only two books that will matter to you, forever. Those two volumes will be in view at the end of your lifetime, at a mandatory meeting that will involve you and the Almighty. Known broadly as the Final Judgment, there are – in fact – two hearings: one for those who chose to go-it-alone (another idiom) without the benefit of a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. What’s ahead for them?
“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15). “Books were opened.” Two volumes will be examined…
The Book of Life is written by God; the Book of Works is written by every unredeemed person. Based on their works, their eternal consequence – of judgment – is determined.
Hitler and the Guy Next Door aren’t in the Book of Life, but their works are night-and-day different. Both will be in the Lake of Fire… but the nature of their future status will be based on the nature of their works. Minimum security, or maximum with solitary confinement? That determination – by the Judge – will be made based on their personal records, “as recorded in the books.”
For the people whose names are found in “the book of life,” there is different moment of accountability. Paul’s forecasts of that appearance give an important insight worth pondering: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10). “…their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).
Records of works done by the redeemed will be the basis for rewards as we transition into the life to come. We were saved by God’s grace – His unmerited favor – but we will be rewarded based on God’s justice – His commitment to remember and recompense the choices and actions of those whose belief drove them to short-term sacrifices with the promise of long-term recognition. No unearned “freebies” at that awards ceremony; everyone gets what they had coming (another idiom, but true!).
Two Books: The Book of Life is written by God, in the Blood of the Lamb; the Book of Works is the account of the actions taken by you – on behalf of God’s Kingdom – that advance His redemptive mission that will populate Heaven and bring in the reign of His righteous throne.
Will today – for you – be “one for the books?”
