Is There a List

Happy Sunday, and merry Christmas! As a kid, I remember being intimidated by a list this time of year. It was the naughty and nice list. I believe that Santa kept a list of my behavior, and the quality and quantity of my presence depended on how I acted, especially in the month of December.

I developed Santa theology as a child from the song "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." You likely remember the words: "He's making a list and checking it twice, G to find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus has coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake." These two verses solidified my thinking. As the years have passed, I'm glad that there is no list.

Another list I was petrified of as a kid was my permanent record. Did they threaten you with the permanent record when you were in school? I really, truly believed that there was a Subterranean, impenetrable Vault somewhere under Hammond Elementary School, and it contained all of my mistakes and bad deeds and notes about anything I might have done wrongly in my early years. As Christmas is right around the corner, I'm thankful that God does not keep a record of our wrongs. There is no list. Or is there? Let's look.

If you are a believer in Jesus, the Bible is clear: God is always watching. Well, he watches everybody, doesn't he? In Psalm 33:13 and 14, we learn, "The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind. From where he sits enthroned, he watches all the inhabitants of the earth." Proverbs 15:3 tells us, "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." There's no doubt that God is always watching us.

Scripture goes on to say that he knows our thoughts and even the number of hairs on our heads. So it's clear that God knows all that we are doing, all that we have done, and all that we will do. Back to the question: does he keep a list? The Bible again is clear. If you're a Christian, you are forgiven, and your sins are removed from any Li.

In 1 John 1:9, we read, "If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I have a picture in my mind of God erasing our sins from the record. Psalms 103:12 gives us great news. There we are told, "As far as the East is from the West, so far he removes our transgressions from us."

Isaiah 43:25 puts it this way: "I alone am the one who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins." I will not remember your sins. In the New Testament book of Hebrews, 8:12, we find these words: "For I will be merciful towards their iniquities; I'll remember their sins no more." It's amazing to me that God, who sees all and knows all, loves us so much that he's willing to forgive us and to give us a clean slate.

So there is no list for our sin if we're a Believer. But there is a list. It's a good... no, it's a great list. In Luke 10 and in Revelation 20, we are told that there's a book of life that our names are written in. Luke 10:20 tells us, "Rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Isn't that like God? The naughty list is erased for his children, and the list that allows us entry into heaven is kept. Merry Christmas! That's the best gift of all, isn't it?

Pray with me. Lord, this Christmas, help us to not get caught up in things. Help us to be astounded at your love: how you came for us, how you've put up with us, how you love us, how you forgive us, and how you prepare a place for us. What a wonderful time of year. In Jesus' name, amen.

Again, thank you for joining me. God bless.