This is another in a series of excerpts from The Book of Life: What the Bible Says about God’s Registry of the Redeemed from High Street Press and available at Amazon. This except comes from Chapter 14: Coworkers in the Book of Life: Philippians 4:3.

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In the previous post, we began to explore Paul’s reference to the book of life in Philippians 4:3. Here, we complete our study of this passage.

The book of life

In Philippians 4:3, Paul declares that Euodia, Syntyche, Clement, and the rest of Paul’s coworkers have their names written in the book of life. This is cause for great rejoicing – a jubilation that transcends the challenges facing believers in Philippi. “Rejoice in the Lord always,” Paul urges them. “I will say it again: Rejoice!” (4:4). 

Assurance of our salvation produces an inward peace that projects an outward confidence. Reminding the Philippians of their security in Christ, Paul encourages them to live out their faith. “Let your graciousness be known to everyone,” he writes. “The Lord is near” (4:5). 

We may experience the nearness of the Lord in at least two ways. First, he’s near in that he dwells in our hearts. More to the point, both Jesus and the Father have sent the Holy Spirit – another counselor, comforter, and advocate like Jesus – to take up permanent residence in our human spirits (see John 14:16-26; 15:26; 16:7).

This same Spirit has regenerated us (Tit. 3:5); indwelled us (John 7:37-39; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20); placed us into the body of Christ through Spirit baptism (1 Cor. 12:13); sanctified us (John 17:17-19; Rom. 6:19, 22); testified that we are adopted children of God and may rightly call him Abba, or Father (Rom. 8:14-17); and sealed us as a guarantee of eternal life (2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30). 

We should have no fear of losing our salvation, for the Lord has always known and loved us, chosen us in Christ, predestined us to be adopted sons and daughters of the Father, called us to himself, declared us in right standing with him, and promised to fully conform us to the image of Christ. Paul writes in Romans 8:28-30:

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified (emphasis added).

The Lord is near

This is the so-called golden chain of redemption, stretching from eternity past to eternity future. Each link in the chain is described in the past tense, including glorification, which is yet future. That’s because we are as secure as God’s promises to finish the good work he began in us (Phil. 1:6). So, the Lord is near in that we are in him, and he is in us (John 17:20-23; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 4:13). And he promises never to leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).

There’s a second way in which the Lord is near: his glorious return is imminent. One day, the Son of God rises from his place at the Father’s right hand in heaven and returns to earth, riding the Shekinah glory – the clouds of heaven – and leading an army of holy angels and redeemed people to set things right. 

In his coming, Jesus resurrects and judges all people (John 5:28-29). He glorifies the saints, giving us immortal bodies that no longer suffer the ravages of sin, and rewards us for our faithful service (Matt. 16:27; Phil. 3:21; Rev. 22:12). He casts Satan, evil spirits, and rebellious people into hell (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10-15). And he purges the fallen world in which we live of sin and its stain, thus creating new heavens and a new earth (2 Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 21-22). 

For now, we live in a sinful and fallen world – a place where even the sons and daughters of God experience suffering, pain, sickness, persecution, disappointment, aging, and, ultimately, death. Even in the church, which should be a replica of heavenly unity – we sometimes find ourselves at odds with others, as Euodia and Syntyche do. But Paul exhorts us to look up and look ahead, for the Lord is near and our names are recorded in the book of life. 

In writing to the Philippians about the book of life, Paul may be reminding them to address their present-day problems in the light of eternity. Yes, Paul is languishing in a Roman prison. The beloved Epaphroditus nearly died. And two prominent women in the church are at odds. But none of this diminishes the fact that the Father holds them securely in his hand – the same hand with which he has written their names in the book of life. Some Philippian believers may have doubts about their standing with God, but Paul draws their attention to the security all Christians possess in the gift of salvation.

There’s a difference between assurance and security when it comes to everlasting life. Assurance is a sense, or feeling, that we are saved. It may come and go based on circumstances, spiritual advances and setbacks, our personalities, encounters with a variety of people, and other factors. But assurance doesn’t write our names in heaven; God does. And that’s where assurance must give way to security.

Security is the work of God guaranteeing that those he saves are kept forever. Our assurance should be based, not on how we feel, but on what the triune God has done, continues to do, and will do for us. The many facets of salvation – from foreknowledge, election, and predestination in eternity past; to calling, regeneration, justification, indwelling, Spirit baptism, sanctification, adoption, and sealing in the present; to glorification in eternity future – are all works of God received by faith. 

These elements of salvation are inextricably bound to one another and constitute a united work of God. Our assurance – that is, our confidence in the security we have in Christ – is not based on feelings, words, or works; it’s based on the eternal and wholly reliable God. He has known us throughout eternity, chosen us in Christ, redeemed us out of the slave market of sin, made us his adopted sons and daughters, written our names in heaven, prepared a place for us, and assured us through his Son that wherever he is, we’ll be there, too (John 14:3).

Because our names are written in heaven, and because the Lord is near, we should live confidently and expectantly. As Paul continues: 

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable ​— ​if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy ​— ​dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you (Phil. 4:6-9). 

Paul calls Philippian Christians his “joy and crown” (4:1). This joy doesn’t replace the bliss of knowing Christ; it makes it better. Further, their response to the gospel promises to bring Paul unparalleled joy on judgment day. The Philippians are his “crown,” one of several crowns, or rewards, revealed in the New Testament (see 1 Cor. 9:24-25; 1 Thess. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10). The fact that Philippian Christians believed the gospel and have their names written in the book of life guarantees Paul’s reward. In fact, the everlasting fellowship he will enjoy with them in heaven is his reward. 

When we begin each day, each task, each work of obedience to the Lord with the end in mind – our names written in the book of life, our destiny secure – we experience the peace of God and enjoy the assurance that he holds us securely in his hand. What a difference that should make in our lives.

Next: Assembly of the Firstborn: Hebrews 12:23