works shall be these precious, last ing substances. Q. Bremerton,Wash. "What do you think of the teaching that every one's name is in the Book of Life (Psalm 69:28; Revelation 3:5, 22:19)? There are people who be lieve that anyone who does not live up to God's requirement of a redeemed saint automatically has his name blotted out." A. The illustrations of the Book of Life go back to a practice in ancient times of having all inhabi tants of a city registered in a book. We have something similar with our telephone book or city direc tory. In Exodus 32:32 we see how Moses had been on Mt. Sinai for a long period of time. The children of Israel despaired of his return and got Aaron to erect the golden calf as an idol for worship. When God informed Moses of what they had done, their leader prayed, "Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin— , and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written." The in terpretation of this was the fact that Moses indicated if God would not forgive the sin of His people, he did not want to live any longer in the world. His being blotted out had nothing to do with his eternal salvation. Psalm 69:28 gives us a similar illustration where the Book of Life is not to be considered as the book of salvation made pos sible through Jesus Christ. This is a prayer speaking of the ungodly, "Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous." Here again the reference is to the cessa- Page 13
the Holy Spirit came upon people for specific tasks and times. Fol lowing our Lord's ascension the Holy Spirit enters into the individ ual believer's life and indwells throughout his life. The true Chris tian today would never pray such as the Psalmist. There would be no need to do so. We should petition, "Keep me in the will of the Holy Spirit. Help me move in the center of Thy directive purpose." As to John 7:39 we should also consider John 16:7 and 13. Since the Holy Spirit's descendance upon the dis ciples at Pentecost He has indwelt all believers. Q. Pueblo, Colo. "Please explain I Corinthians 3:12-14. I am inter ested in knowing what the 'works' are referred to here by Paul." A. The Apostle was reminding the believers that there was far too much carnality in the church at Corinth. There were serious divi sions with various members fol lowing one leader or another. The fact is that there is no foundation which can be laid except Christ Jesus alone. Gold, silver and prec ious stones would not be touched by fire and would endure. Wood, hay and stubble would obviously be immediately consumed. The question might be, "What is the proper motive which will give us as believers a foundation likened to gold, silver and precious stones?" Consider II Corinthians 5:14, "For the love of Christ constraineth us." Anything less in our service, no matter how much hard work and sacrifice there might be, if it is done with a lesser motive than the love of Christ, it simply is not enough. May God grant that our
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