Complete and Reliable

Last weekend I ran across an article on MSNBC regarding misappropriated funds. One quote stayed with me:

… was unable to “provide a complete and reliable list when requested by the Office of Inspector General.”

It’s difficult for anyone to make a list of their own malfeasance, isn’t it? Could any of us provide a complete and reliable list of all the good things we’ve done, much less one that includes our errors?

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV)

Relying on our memories is insufficient, the list would be complete. That won’t be the case at judgment day.The list will be complete, and as reliable as God.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12 KJV)

It doesn’t matter if we can remember our idle words – God knows them.

You see, getting our name in the book of life is only part of our eternal life.  There are rewards, beginning with an incorruptible crown, crown of rejoicing, crown of righteousness, crown of life – and for all the faithful pastors, a crown of glory.

Jesus spoke of places of honor following a dispute among His disciples. He did not overhear their conversation, but He knew what they were saying, and gave them an answer:

And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (Mark 9:33-35 KJV)

In those books will be whether or not we were servants.  Not just to our Lord, but to our brothers and sisters, in His name. Read the last of Matthew’s chapter 25, from verses 31-46.  Two verses condense what happens:

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40 KJV)

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (Matthew 25:45 KJV)

Why?  James gives that answer:

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2:17-18 KJV)