Another very good, relevant (5-25-12) post, Mary!  

 

This morning I was reading Malachi (Old Testament) where 3:16 talks about those who fear the Lord get their names written into a Book of Remembrance.

• 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a Book of Remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

And then in Friday's 5-Doves post, you brought up one of Jesus' parables dealing with the poor man, Lazarus, who ended up in Paradise (Abraham's bosom). 

• "Today the "gospel" of many is to possess, acquire, and live the good life of prosperity "for ones' own sake". The thinking is that a "successful Christian" is not a person like the beggar Lazarus, but one more like the rich man. After all, a good father only wants the "best" for his children. But that is the thinking of the world."

 

So it got me to thinking.  This is something I've always wondered about.  What did the poor man do to receive eternity in paradise?  Especially since Jesus said to Nicodemus that "except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God" (John 3:3).  And is the Book of Remembrance different from the Book of Life?  Would very much appreciate your thoughts.

 

Hoping this all makes sense!  Thank you...blessings!