How can we ensure our names are "engraved" in God's spiritual community today? The Picture of Divine Engraving • “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.” (Isaiah 49:16) • “Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel… Aaron is to bear their names on his shoulders before the LORD as a reminder.” (Exodus 28:9–12) These verses show a literal, permanent marking of God’s people—first on priestly stones, then on God’s own hands—proving His unbreakable commitment to those who belong to Him. Why This Matters Today • God still keeps a literal record—“the Book of Life” (Revelation 3:5). • Names written there are citizens of “God’s household” (Ephesians 2:19). • Jesus promises to confess those names “before My Father and His angels” (Matthew 10:32). Having our names engraved means eternal membership in His redeemed community. Steps to Ensure Our Name Is Engraved 1. Repent and Believe – “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). – “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) 2. Receive Christ Personally – “To all who received Him… He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) 3. Public Identification – Baptism and ongoing confession mark us openly as His (Matthew 10:32). 4. Ongoing Obedience – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (2 Timothy 2:19) – A persevering life of holiness keeps us aligned with the inscription already made. 5. Persevere in Faith – “He who overcomes… I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life.” (Revelation 3:5) – Daily trust, worship, and fellowship safeguard against drifting. Living as Inscribed People • Worship regularly—remember whose name you bear. • Guard personal holiness—sin smudges testimony, though the engraving itself is permanent. • Serve the body—carry others on your “shoulders” as Aaron did, interceding and encouraging. • Share the gospel—invite others to have their names written, too. • Anticipate the New Jerusalem—where walls and foundations carry engraved names for all eternity (Revelation 21:12–14). Final Encouragement God literally engraved His people’s names; He will not forget those who trust His Son. By repentance, faith, public confession, and steadfast obedience, we can rest assured our names are permanently carved into the everlasting community of God. |
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