Uncle Norman had been telling the children Bible stories and helping them to memorize verses. After they had memorized them the way they are written in the Bible, Uncle Norman liked to have the children use their own names in the verses.
One time he was teaching them Galatians 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20): “I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” The children repeated the verse one at a time. When most of them had learned the verse by heart, Uncle Norman asked, “Is there anyone who would like to put his or her own name in that verse?”
A little boy about seven years old held up his hand very high and straight.
“Yes, John,” said Uncle Norman, “will you come stand beside me and say it using your own name?”
John stood beside Uncle Norman and said as though he really meant it, “I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved John, and gave Himself for John.”
Has the Lord Jesus touched your heart so you know for sure that He loves you? And can you say that verse using your own name and really mean it? Try it.
“I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved ______________________ , and gave Himself for ______________________ ”
Maybe you would like to write your name in the blanks too. But what is most important is to be sure that God has written your name in His book of life. In Luke 10:2020Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20) the Lord Jesus told His disciples to “rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” But in Revelation 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15) God warns us, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Has God written your name in His book of life?
ML-07/16/2006